Kingsley is a unique and distinct given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words 'cyning' meaning 'king', and 'leah' which signifies a 'woodland clearing'. Therefore, the name Kingsley translates to 'king's meadow'.
The name Kingsley gained prominence in the 19th century when it was used by British novelist Charles Kingsley. He is best known for his children's book "The Water-Babies" and historical novel "Hereward the Wake". The use of his surname as a given name might have contributed to its popularity during that time.
Kingsley was also used in the United States during the mid-20th century, but it remains more common in Britain. In recent years, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in the name on both sides of the Atlantic.
In terms of its historical significance, Kingsley is associated with royalty and nature, offering parents a unique and meaningful name option for their children. It's also notable that the name Kingsley is not exclusively used for boys; it can also be given to girls, adding further flexibility to its usage.
Overall, Kingsley is an intriguing and uncommon name choice that offers a blend of history, meaning, and uniqueness. Its roots in both royalty and nature make it an attractive option for parents looking for something distinctive yet significant for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe a significant increase in the number of newborns named Kingsley in the United States from 2006 onwards. Here's an analysis of these figures:
From 1977 to 2005, the annual births with the name Kingsley varied between 5 and 17. However, starting in 2006, there was a notable rise, with 27 babies named Kingsley born that year. This trend continued, with the number of newborns named Kingsley doubling to 34 in 2008, then again to 38 in 2009.
The years between 2010 and 2015 saw a steady growth in the popularity of the name Kingsley. In 2010, there were 46 newborns named Kingsley, which increased to 119 by 2015 – more than double the number just five years prior.
The peak in popularity for the name Kingsley occurred between 2016 and 2020. During this period, the number of births with this name grew from 126 in 2016 to a high of 238 in 2020. This indicates that Kingsley became quite trendy as a baby boy's name during these years.
Despite a slight dip in popularity after 2020, with 226 births in 2021 and 201 births in 2022, the name Kingsley has maintained its status as a popular choice for newborn boys in recent years. As of 2023, there have been 157 newborns named Kingsley up to this point.
In total, based on the provided statistics, there have been 1915 babies named Kingsley born in the United States since 1977. This data shows how the popularity of the name Kingsley has evolved over time, with a significant increase in its usage as a baby boy's name during the past two decades.