Find out how popular the first name Kj has been for the last 31 years (from 1993 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kj by gender

Based on the last 31 years of data, Kj is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 20 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kj.

The history of the first name Kj

The name Kj has its origins in the ancient Nordic languages, dating back to the Viking era of the 8th to 11th centuries. It is believed to be derived from the Old Norse word "kjǫrr," which means "marsh" or "swamp." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived in marshy or wetland areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kj can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, where it appears as a variant spelling of the name "Kjör." In these medieval Icelandic literary works, Kj was often used as a nickname or abbreviated form of longer names that started with the same letters.

During the Viking Age, the name Kj was prevalent among the Scandinavian peoples, particularly in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. It was a common name among warriors and seafarers, reflecting the rugged and adventurous spirit of the time.

Historically, there are several notable figures who bore the name Kj. One of the earliest was Kj Þorvarðsson, a 10th-century Norse chieftain and landowner in Iceland. Another prominent figure was Kj Jónsson, a 13th-century Icelandic lawspeaker and chieftain, known for his role in the age of the Icelandic Commonwealth.

In the realm of literature, Kj Laxness, a renowned Icelandic novelist and poet, was a prominent figure in the 20th century. Born in 1902, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955 for his vivid and powerful descriptions of Icelandic life and culture.

Another notable individual was Kj Birkeland, a Norwegian scientist and pioneer in the field of auroral and cosmic physics, born in 1867. His groundbreaking research on the phenomenon of the northern lights and its connection to solar activity earned him widespread recognition in the scientific community.

While the name Kj has its roots in Scandinavian languages and cultures, it has also been adopted and used in other parts of the world, although with varying degrees of popularity and significance. Despite its ancient origins, the name Kj continues to hold a unique place in the annals of history, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Nordic regions and the enduring legacy of the Viking era.

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 Kj was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kj, 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!