Kipling
Every Kipling since 1952 — 398 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kipling
Kipling is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,617 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1952, 398 American babies have been named Kipling. Its peak came in 2016, when 16 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kipling stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kipling year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #8,617 |
| 2024 | 6 | #11,736 |
| 2023 | 6 | #11,622 |
| 2022 | 11 | #7,527 |
| 2021 | 9 | #8,550 |
| 2020 | 11 | #7,284 |
| 2019 | 9 | #8,578 |
| 2018 | 12 | #6,950 |
| 2017 | 16 | #5,679 |
| 2016 | 16 | #5,679 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13,157 |
| 2014 | 10 | #7,882 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 10 | #7,881 |
| 2011 | 8 | #9,227 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 5 | #13,499 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11,433 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 5 | #11,693 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 8 | #6,720 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | 7 | #4,573 |
| 1970 | 12 | #2,803 |
| 1965 | 15 | #2,129 |
| 1960 | 6 | #3,866 |
| 1955 | 6 | #3,703 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kipling in 2025?
Kipling ranked #8,617 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kipling?
398 babies have been named Kipling in the United States since 1952, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kipling most popular?
Kipling peaked in 2016, when 16 newborns received the name.
Is Kipling a boy or girl name?
Kipling is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kipling rising or falling?
Kipling is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.