Kirk
Boy name · 263 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Kirk: 263 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 14 births in 1985.
The name Kirk is a short, sturdy choice that literally comes from the Old Norse word “kirkja,” meaning ‘church,’ which made its way into northern English and Scottish dialects as “kirk.” Famous bearers include the iconic actor Kirk Douglas, a titan of Hollywood’s golden age, and Star Trek’s Captain James T. Kirk, who boldly popularised the name for generations. Place connections are strong: Kirkwall in Orkney and countless Scottish towns like Kirkcudbright share the same root. Interestingly, as a surname it often indicates someone who lived or worked near a church; it also saw a resurgence in the 1960s directly following the debut of the Starship Enterprise.
Boy 41 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 198514 babies
- Latest (2023)
- #7283 babies
- Total births
- 263since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 33%vs prior 5y