Kingston

boyOld English

Kingston is an boy name of Old English origin, meaning “The king's settlement”.

MeaningThe king's settlement
GenderBoy
OriginOld English
PronunciationKINGZ-tun
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia

Meaning and origin of Kingston

Kingston comes from Old English cyning, king, and tun, settlement or estate, describing land held by the crown. It is the name of many English towns, such as Kingston upon Thames, as well as the capital of Jamaica and cities in Canada and the US. As a first name it rose sharply in the United States in the 2010s, part of a fashion for regal-sounding names.

Is Kingston a religious name?

Kingston is a secular place-name with no religious background.

How popular is Kingston?

Popular in the US and Australia in recent years.

Gifts with the name Kingston

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Spellings and variants of Kingston

Kingsten

Names similar to Kingston

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Kingston mean?

Kingston means 'The king's settlement'. It is of Old English origin.

Does Kingston have a religious meaning?

Kingston is a secular place-name with no religious background.

How do you pronounce Kingston?

Kingston is pronounced KINGZ-tun.

Is Kingston a boy or girl name?

Kingston is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.