Kinsley is a unique and attractive given name of English origin. It has gained popularity in recent years due to its modern sound and unisex appeal.
The name Kinsley is derived from the Old English elements "cyne" meaning "king" or "keen," and "leah" which signifies "woodland clearing." Therefore, the name could be interpreted as "king's meadow" or "king of the meadow."
Historically, the surname Kinsley was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appeared as "Chineslei" in Yorkshire, England. It is believed to have originated from a place-name meaning "Kin's clearing," referring to a person called Kin who had established a settlement there.
In terms of its history as a given name, Kinsley has only recently begun to appear on birth records. According to the Social Security Administration data in the United States, it was not among the top 1000 names for boys or girls until the year 2000. Since then, however, it has steadily climbed in popularity and is now ranked within the top 500 names for both sexes.
Kinsley's modern usage can be attributed to its popularity as a surname throughout history and its appealing unisex nature. Its meaning, "king of the meadow," gives it an attractive and unique sound that many parents find appealing for their children.
The name Kinsley has seen a fluctuating popularity over the past decade in the United States, with a total of 58 babies born with this name since 2012. The peak year for Kinsley was 2021, with 10 births recorded that year. However, it's worth noting that the number of babies named Kinsley has been on an upward trend since 2017, indicating a growing preference for this name among parents. Despite its recent increase in popularity, Kinsley remains a relatively uncommon name, as evidenced by its low total birth count over the past decade.