Kinsey Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KIN-zee //ˈkɪn.zi//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: 'descendant of Caoinseach'; English: 'king's meadow'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kinsey has its roots in Old English, deriving from the surname "Kynsey," which is believed to have originated from a place name in England. The etymology can be traced back to the elements "cyning," meaning "king," and "eg," meaning "island" or "riverbank." Thus, the literal interpretation of Kinsey could be understood as "king's island" or "island of the king." The transition from a surname to a given name occurred in the 19th century, reflecting a broader trend of adopting surnames as first names in English-speaking cultures.
Historically, the name Kinsey gained some recognition through notable figures, such as the American biologist Alfred Kinsey, who conducted groundbreaking research on human sexuality in the mid-20th century. His work, particularly the publication of "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" in 1948, brought the name into the public consciousness, although it was primarily associated with his surname rather than as a first name.
Additionally, the name Kinsey appears in various literary works and cultural references, contributing to its presence in American culture. Culturally, Kinsey has been associated with themes of individuality and modernity, particularly as it gained traction as a given name in the 20th century.
The name's unique sound and historical significance have allowed it to resonate with those seeking names that convey a sense of heritage while also embracing contemporary identity. The diminutive form "Kin" has also emerged, providing a more casual alternative that retains the essence of the original name.
Overall, Kinsey reflects a blend of historical roots and evolving cultural significance.
Famous people named Kinsey
In this section, you will find notable people named Kinsey. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kinsey who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kinsey who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Kinsey Wolanski is an internet personality and model best known for invading the UEFA Champions League Final in 2019.
Fictional characters named Kinsey
The following list of fictional characters named Kinsey is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Kinsey Millhone is a fictional character from the mystery novel series by Sue Grafton. She is a private investigator known for her keen observational skills and strong sense of justice.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kinsey, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kinsey. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kinsey was first seen in the United States in 1968.
Kinsey has ranked as high as #1034 nationally, which occurred in 2011, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Kinsey has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kinsey is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kinsey was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kinsey (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 11 | |
| FL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kinsey.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2023 | 103 |
| 2022 | 125 |
| 2021 | 96 |
| 2020 | 108 |
| 2019 | 82 |
| 2018 | 138 |
| 2017 | 138 |
| 2016 | 171 |
| 2015 | 173 |
| 2014 | 227 |
| 2013 | 241 |
| 2012 | 248 |
| 2011 | 313 |
| 2010 | 269 |
| 2009 | 250 |
| 2008 | 242 |
| 2007 | 285 |
| 2006 | 294 |
| 2005 | 250 |
| 2004 | 228 |
| 2003 | 234 |
| 2002 | 214 |
| 2001 | 265 |
| 2000 | 252 |
| 1999 | 242 |
| 1998 | 255 |
| 1997 | 181 |
| 1996 | 216 |
| 1995 | 197 |
| 1994 | 192 |
| 1993 | 188 |
| 1992 | 201 |
| 1991 | 170 |
| 1990 | 134 |
| 1989 | 92 |
| 1988 | 81 |
| 1987 | 82 |
| 1986 | 72 |
| 1985 | 66 |
| 1984 | 63 |
| 1983 | 69 |
| 1982 | 47 |
| 1981 | 65 |
| 1980 | 37 |
| 1979 | 37 |
| 1978 | 31 |
| 1977 | 11 |
| 1976 | 8 |
| 1968 | 5 |