UK boy's name
Kostas
Of Greek origin, a diminutive form of Konstantinos meaning "steadfast, constant".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kostas is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kostas popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4608, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 5 births.
This profile covers 18 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2009 to 2020. 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 18 living people in the UK are called Kostas. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kostas ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 5 boys were registered as Kostas.
- • About 18 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kostas as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4608
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
5 births
Estimated living
18
2026
Meaning
What does Kostas mean?
The name Kostas is a Greek name derived from the ancient Greek name Konstantinos, which means "constant" or "steadfast." It originated in the Byzantine Empire, where it was a popular name among the ruling class and the aristocracy.
The first recorded use of the name Konstantinos dates back to the 4th century AD, when it was borne by several notable figures, including the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (272-337 AD), who is credited with legalizing Christianity in the Roman Empire. The name gained widespread popularity after his reign, and it was adopted by many Christians throughout the Byzantine Empire.
One of the earliest documented examples of the name Kostas is from the 10th century, when it was used as a shortened form of Konstantinos. Over time, it became a standalone name in its own right, particularly in Greece and other Greek-speaking regions.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kostas. One of the earliest was Kostas Palaiologos (1290-1307), a Byzantine prince and a member of the Palaiologan dynasty. Another significant figure was Kostas Doukas (1070-1134), a Byzantine military leader and the founder of the Doukas dynasty.
In more recent times, Kostas Karyotakis (1896-1928) was a renowned Greek poet and one of the most influential figures in modern Greek literature. Kostas Tsimikas (born 1996) is a Greek professional footballer who currently plays for Liverpool F.C. in the English Premier League.
Another notable bearer of the name was Kostas Karamanlis (1907-1998), a Greek politician who served as Prime Minister of Greece on two separate occasions, from 1955 to 1963 and from 1974 to 1980. He played a significant role in Greece's transition to democracy after the fall of the military junta in 1974.
The name Kostas has a rich history and a strong connection to Greek culture and heritage. It has been borne by numerous individuals throughout the centuries, including royalty, military leaders, poets, and politicians, all of whom have left their mark on the cultural and historical landscape of Greece and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kostas over time
The chart below shows babies named Kostas registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kostas, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kostas by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kostas 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 | #4608 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4287 | 11 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3744 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Kostas
- 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
Kostas: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kostas in the UK right now?
In 2020, Kostas was ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kostas most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 5 babies registered as Kostas in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kostas?
Of Greek origin, a diminutive form of Konstantinos meaning "steadfast, constant".
How many people are called Kostas in the UK?
A total of 18 babies have been registered as Kostas across the 5 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.