Girl Names Starting with K

Girl Names Starting with K: A Selection

• Kaja Kaja is, among other things, a Scandinavian short form of Katarina as well as a variant of Gaja. Additionally, there is the Estonian name meaning “echo.” The original meaning of the Katarina name family is unclarified.
• Kalea: A name from the Hawaiian linguistic area. The common interpretation translates the Hawaiian word elements as "joy" or "happiness."
• Kamilla: Traces back to the Roman cognomen Camillus. The Latin word base referred to youths of noble birth who assisted in religious ceremonies.
• Karina: Documented as an independent form that is either derived from the Latin word "carus" (dear, beloved) or understood as a variant of Katharina.
• Karla: The feminine form of Karl. The Old High German word base "karal" means "free man" or "the free one," which when applied to women is often interpreted as "the free woman."
• Karolina: An elaboration of Karla that is common in German-speaking and Eastern European regions. The derivation corresponds to that of Karla.
• Kassandra Kassandra is known from Greek mythology as the name of a Trojan prophetess. The original word meaning is unclarified. A compound of words for “to surpass” and “man” is one of several linguistic interpretations.
• Kassia: Traces back to the Greek and Latin term for the cassia cinnamon tree. The name has historical roots in ancient Greece.
• Katalin: The Hungarian form of Katharina. It offers a phonetic alternative to the variants of the name more common in this country.
• Katharina: A traditional given name with Greek roots. The often-cited translation "the pure one" (from Greek "katharos") is a widespread interpretation; however, the precise historical derivation of the earliest forms is not fully confirmed.
• Katja: Originally the Russian pet form of Katharina, which has long since established itself as an independent given name in the German-speaking world.
• Kaya As a Turkish name, Kaya means “rock” or “cliff.” For the English feminine name form, a connection to Kaia, among others, is assumed. The Turkish meaning does not automatically apply to every use of the spelling Kaya.
• Käthe: An established German short form of Katharina. It shares the name history and the associated interpretations of its root form.
• Kendra: An English given name whose word meaning is not definitively clarified. It is often interpreted as a blend of various name roots or as a feminine form of Kendrick.
• Kiana: There are various explanatory approaches for this name. It is widely interpreted as a Hawaiian variant of Diana, but it can also have Irish roots.
• Kim: This short name has various origins. It is documented as a short form of the English name Kimberly, but is also given as an independent Korean name. A generalized meaning cannot be determined.
• Kira Kira is documented as a Russian feminine form of the Kyros name family and as a variant of the Irish Ciara. The older meaning of Kyros is unclarified. The Irish name family belongs to ciar, “dark” or “black.” A verified meaning of “sun” does not emerge from this.
• Kirsten: A Scandinavian and North German form of Christina. The Latin base "christianus" means "Christian" or "follower of Christ."
• Klara: Traces back to the Roman name Clara. The Latin word base "clarus" means "bright," "shining," or "clear."
• Klea: A short name from the Greek linguistic area. It is documented to derive from the word "kleos," meaning "glory" or "honor."
• Klementine: The feminine form of Klemens. The underlying Latin word "clemens" means "mild" or "gentle."
• Kora: A name from Greek mythology. The Greek word "kore" simply means "girl" or "maiden."
• Kornelia: The feminine form of the Roman family name Cornelius. The name is widely associated with the Latin word "cornu" (horn), but the earliest derivation has not been established beyond doubt.
• Kristina: The Scandinavian and Slavic spelling of Christina. The meaning traces back to the Latin "christianus."
• Ksenia: A Slavic variant of the Greek name Xenia. The Greek word base means "hospitality."

Practical Tip: Choosing Between K and C

With baby girl names starting with K, you often face the question of spelling. Many classic names like Klara/Clara, Karolina/Carolina, or Kornelia/Cornelia exist in both variants.

The spelling with a K often feels more grounded and traditional in the German-speaking world and Scandinavia. The variant with a C often brings a somewhat more international or Romance aesthetic. It is best to check how the first name in the K spelling looks together with your last name. A hard consonant at the end of the first name and a K at the beginning of the last name can blend together when spoken.

If you are unsure, take advantage of the option in the HeyName app to favorite both spellings. That way, you can compare them side by side at your leisure later and see which visual appearance you prefer.

Next Steps in Finding a Name

An initial letter is a great filter to narrow down the vast number of given names. If you would like to focus on K, you can specifically set this letter in your search. Sit down together, go through the list of K names, and rule out those that are not an option for you. That leaves you with a manageable selection to try out with your last name.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

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