UK boy's name
Kin
Derived from the Japanese word meaning "golden" or "golden child".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kin is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kin popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 4 births.
This profile covers 33 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1996 to 2009. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 33 living people in the UK are called Kin. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kin ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 4 boys were registered as Kin.
- • About 33 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kin as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
4 births
Estimated living
33
2026
Meaning
What does Kin mean?
The name Kin is derived from the Old English word "cyn," which means "family" or "race." It has its origins in the Germanic languages and was commonly used as a personal name among the Anglo-Saxons.
In ancient times, the name Kin was closely associated with kinship and family ties. It was often given to children as a way of emphasizing their connection to their clan or tribe. The name was also used to refer to members of the same lineage or those who shared a common ancestry.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kin can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a historical record that dates back to the 9th century. The chronicle mentions a figure named Kin, who was a prominent figure in the court of King Alfred the Great (849-899).
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Kin. One of the most famous was Kin Hubbard (1868-1930), an American humorist and journalist known for his witty sayings and observations about life. Another prominent figure was Kin Platt (1911-2003), a British actor and playwright who appeared in numerous stage productions and television shows.
In the literary world, Kin Hubbard (1868-1930), an American humorist and journalist, was renowned for his insightful and humorous observations about life. His works, such as "Kin Hubbard's Scrap Book" and "Abe Martin's Almanack," were widely popular in the early 20th century.
In the realm of sports, Kin Balee (1940-2008) was a Thai boxer and actor who achieved great success in the Muay Thai circuit. He was a multiple-time champion and is considered one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time.
Another notable figure was Kin Narita (1891-1938), a Japanese writer and poet who was part of the Shinkokugeki literary movement in the early 20th century. His works explored themes of human nature and the complexities of modern society.
While the name Kin may not be as common today as it once was, it carries a rich history and cultural significance, reflecting its roots in kinship, family, and ancestry.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kin over time
The chart below shows babies named Kin registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kin, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2009, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kin by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kin was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3730 | 23 | 7 |
| 1990s | #2734 | 10 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Kin
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kin: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kin in the UK right now?
In 2009, Kin was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kin most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 4 babies registered as Kin in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kin?
Derived from the Japanese word meaning "golden" or "golden child".
How many people are called Kin in the UK?
A total of 33 babies have been registered as Kin across the 10 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.