UK boy's name
Kip
A diminutive form of the masculine name Christopher, meaning "Christ-bearer".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kip is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kip popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3112, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 10 births.
This profile covers 107 England and Wales registrations across 21 recorded years from 2001 to 2023. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 106 living people in the UK are called Kip. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kip ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 10 boys were registered as Kip.
- • About 106 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kip as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3112
2023
Births in 2023
6
Latest year
Peak year
2021
10 births
Estimated living
106
2026
Meaning
What does Kip mean?
The name Kip originates from the Dutch language and is a diminutive form of the name Kipper, which is derived from the Middle Dutch word "kippen" meaning "to hatch". It was initially used as a nickname for children or as a term of endearment, particularly in reference to a young or small person.
The earliest recorded use of the name Kip dates back to the late 16th century, appearing in Dutch records and literature. It gained popularity in the Netherlands and surrounding regions during the 17th and 18th centuries, reflecting the cultural influence of the Dutch Golden Age.
In terms of historical references, the name Kip does not appear prominently in ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, it has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history.
One of the earliest recorded figures with the name Kip was Kip Van Burmania (1585-1644), a Dutch military engineer and architect who designed fortifications and structures across the Netherlands during the Eighty Years' War.
Another prominent individual was Kip Rhinelander (1808-1876), an American lawyer and politician from New York. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1835 to 1837.
In the realm of literature, Kip Masters (1920-2011) was an American novelist and playwright known for his works exploring themes of race and social justice, such as "Bright Leaf" and "Blessed Are the Meek".
The name Kip also gained recognition in the field of sports, with Kip Keino (born 1940), a renowned Kenyan athlete and Olympic champion in track and field events, most notably winning gold medals in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games.
Lastly, Kip Wilson (1923-2003) was an American actor and stuntman, best known for his work in Western films and television shows, often portraying cowboys and stunt performers.
These individuals, spanning different eras and professions, exemplify the diverse backgrounds and contributions associated with the name Kip throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kip over time
The chart below shows babies named Kip registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kip, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2023, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kip by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kip 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #2742 | 29 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3415 | 48 | 9 |
| 2000s | #3449 | 30 | 8 |
Related
Names similar to Kip
- 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
Kip: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kip in the UK right now?
In 2023, Kip was ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Kip most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 10 babies registered as Kip in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kip?
A diminutive form of the masculine name Christopher, meaning "Christ-bearer".
How many people are called Kip in the UK?
A total of 107 babies have been registered as Kip across the 21 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.