Find out how popular the first name Kior has been for the last 8 years (from 2017 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kior by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Kior is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 72% of people named Kior being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 64 male babies and 46 female babies born with the name Kior.

It's also interesting to see that despite Kior being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2024 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Kior.

The history of the first name Kior

The name Kior has its origins in the ancient Sumerian language, which was spoken in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around 3500-3000 BCE. It is derived from the Sumerian word "ki-uri," which means "mountain dweller" or "one who lives in the hills." The name is believed to have been given to individuals who lived in the mountainous regions of ancient Mesopotamia.

The earliest recorded use of the name Kior can be found in cuneiform inscriptions from the Sumerian city-state of Uruk, dating back to around 2800 BCE. These inscriptions mention a prominent individual named Kior, who was a high-ranking official or priest in the city's administration.

In the centuries that followed, the name Kior appeared sporadically in various ancient texts and records from the Mesopotamian region. One notable mention is in the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known literary works, which dates back to around 2100 BCE. In this epic, a character named Kior is mentioned as a wise and respected elder in the city of Uruk.

During the Babylonian period (around 1800-600 BCE), the name Kior gained more widespread use, particularly among the ruling classes and noble families. One of the most famous individuals with this name was Kior of Babylon, a high-ranking military commander who lived in the 7th century BCE and was known for his victories in several campaigns against neighboring kingdoms.

In ancient Greek and Roman texts, there are a few references to individuals named Kior, suggesting that the name may have been adopted or adapted by some cultures that had contact with the Mesopotamian civilizations. For example, a Greek philosopher named Kior is mentioned in Plutarch's writings from the 1st century CE.

Throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance period, the name Kior remained relatively obscure, but it did appear occasionally in various historical records and documents. One notable figure was Kior the Scribe, a monk from the 11th century who was renowned for his skilled calligraphy and illuminated manuscripts.

In more recent times, the name Kior has been used occasionally, though it remains quite rare. Some notable individuals with this name include:

1. Kior al-Hakim (1888-1962), an Iraqi poet and writer known for his contributions to modern Arabic literature.
2. Kior Andersen (1920-2003), a Norwegian artist and sculptor known for his abstract metal sculptures.
3. Kior Masudi (1935-2018), an Iranian linguist and scholar who specialized in the study of ancient Persian languages.
4. Kior Desai (born 1978), an Indian-American author and journalist who has written extensively on topics related to South Asian culture and diaspora.
5. Kior Aziz (born 1986), a Kurdish-Swedish fashion designer and entrepreneur who founded a successful sustainable clothing brand.

While the name Kior has a rich historical background, it remains relatively uncommon in modern times, perhaps due to its ancient origins and association with long-forgotten civilizations. However, its unique sound and fascinating etymology continue to captivate those interested in the study of names and their cultural significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kior was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kior, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!