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King

Boy name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

King: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 2023.

Though it functions primarily as a title, **King** has a long history as a given name, most famously borne by the American civil rights leader **Martin Luther King Jr.**, who was named after his father, the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. The name itself comes from Old English *cyning*, meaning "tribal leader" or "ruler." As a first name, it gained particular traction in the United States' African American community, and in Scotland it has seen occasional use. The Scottish surname **King** is similarly derived, often from a nickname for someone who acted in a kingly manner or who played the part in a medieval pageant. A notable bearer is the actor **King Donovan** (1918–1987), while the name also features in the stage name of Scottish singer-songwriter **King Creosote**, originally Kenneth Anderson.