Kyna
A feminine name of unconfirmed origin, potentially related to the Greek word "kynos" meaning "dog".
Name Census estimates that about 967 living Americans carry the first name Kyna. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Kyna today is around 41 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kyna births was 1977 (68 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kyna. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
967
~ 1 in 354,451 Americans
Peak year
1977
68 babies that year
Average age
41
years old
2023 SSA rank
#16,496
Tracked since 1951
Popularity
Kyna: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kyna from the 1950s through to the 2020s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 267 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kyna by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Kyna during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Kynas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. Texas, California, Georgia recorded the most babies named Kyna, while Virginia, Illinois, Georgia recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 9 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Kyna
The name Kyna is believed to have its origins in ancient Greek culture, originating from the word "kynos," which means "dog" or "hound." This association with canines may have been a reference to loyalty, protectiveness, or even hunting abilities.
In ancient Greek mythology, there are several references to characters with names related to Kyna. One notable example is Kynosoura, a nymph who was transformed into the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Bear. This celestial connection might have added a sense of cosmic significance to the name.
The earliest recorded use of the name Kyna can be traced back to the 5th century BC in ancient Greek inscriptions and records. However, it remained a relatively uncommon name throughout the classical period.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Kyna was Kyna of Thessaly, a renowned Greek physician who lived in the 4th century BC. Her expertise in medicine and healing arts earned her recognition in various historical texts of the time.
During the Byzantine era, around the 6th century AD, there is mention of a Saint Kyna, a Christian martyr celebrated for her unwavering faith and courage in the face of persecution. Her story was recorded in hagiographies, which may have contributed to the name's association with spirituality and resilience.
In the 12th century, Kyna of Kyiv was a prominent figure in the court of the Grand Prince of Kyiv. She was known for her diplomatic skills and played a crucial role in fostering relations between the Kievan Rus' and neighboring regions.
Another notable figure was Kyna Innes, a Scottish noblewoman from the 16th century. She was a prominent figure in the court of King James V and was known for her patronage of the arts and literature.
In the 19th century, Kyna Larpent was a British writer and playwright. Her works often explored themes of social commentary and women's rights, making her a notable figure in the literary circles of her time.
While the name Kyna has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has carried a range of meanings and associations, from ancient Greek mythology to religious figures, noble women, and literary figures. Its unique sound and cultural roots have contributed to its enduring appeal as a distinctive and intriguing name choice.
People
Kyna + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kyna as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kyna: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kyna?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 967 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kyna going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 354,451 US residents.
Is Kyna a common name?
We classify Kyna as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,062 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kyna most popular?
The single biggest year for Kyna was 1977, when 68 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kyna is about 41 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Kyna a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kyna in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.