100+ Names That Mean King, From Every Corner of the World

Every culture that had kings had names for them, and parents have borrowed those words for their children for thousands of years. Rex, Basil, Malik, Raja, Oba and Ryan all come back to the same idea.

Below are names that mean king, ruler, queen or royal, sorted by language, each with its origin and meaning.

Latin and Romance Names Meaning King

Latin "rex", king, became "roi" in French and "rey" in Spanish.

• Caesar – Latin, a Roman family name that became a title for emperors.
• Leroy – French, "le roi", the king.
• Regis – Latin, "of the king".
• Regulus – Latin, "little king"; also a bright star in Leo.
• Rex – Latin, "king".
• Rey – Spanish, "king".
• Reyes – Spanish, "kings", from the feast of the Three Kings.

Greek and Slavic Names Meaning King or Ruler

Greek "basileus", king, gave Basil and its many forms. Slavic "vlad" means rule.

• Archon – Greek, "ruler".
• Basil – Greek, "royal, kingly".
• Basilio – Italian and Spanish form of Basil.
• Basilius – Latin form of Basil.
• Vasileios – Modern Greek form of Basil.
• Vasily – Russian form of Basil.
• Vladimir – Slavic, "rule" and "peace" or "world".
• Vladislav – Slavic, "rule" and "glory".

Celtic Names Meaning King

Old Irish "rí", king, sits inside several of the best-known Irish names.

• Reagan – Irish, from Ó Riagáin, linked with "rí", king; often read as "little king".
• Rian – Irish, "little king".
• Riordan – Irish, "royal poet".
• Rory – Irish, from Ruaidhrí, "red king".
• Ryan – Irish, "little king".

Germanic and English Names Meaning King or Ruler

The Germanic element "ric" means ruler or power. It sits at the end of dozens of common names.

• Alaric – Gothic, "ruler of all".
• Cynric – Old English, "royal ruler".
• Derek – Dutch and English, from Theodoric, "ruler of the people".
• Dietrich – German, "ruler of the people".
• Donald – Scottish Gaelic, "world ruler".
• Duke – English, from Latin "dux", leader.
• Earl – English, from Old English "eorl", nobleman.
• Eric – Old Norse, "eternal ruler".
• Frederick – Germanic, "peaceful ruler".
• Harold – Old English, "army ruler".
• Henry – Germanic, "ruler of the home".
• Kaiser – German, "emperor", from Caesar.
• King – English, the word itself.
• Kingsley – English, "king's wood".
• Kingston – English, "king's town".
• Prince – English, from Latin "princeps", first, chief.
• Richard – Germanic, "strong ruler".
• Roderick – Germanic, "famous ruler".
• Royal – English, "of the king".
• Theodoric – Gothic, "ruler of the people".
• Walter – Germanic, "army ruler".

Hebrew Names Meaning King

Hebrew "melech" means king and "malkah" queen.

• Abimelech – Hebrew, "my father is king".
• Elimelech – Hebrew, "my God is king".
• Malkiel – Hebrew, "God is my king".
• Melchior – Traditionally "king of light"; one of the three Magi in Christian legend.
• Melchizedek – Hebrew, "king of righteousness".
• Melech – Hebrew, "king".

Arabic, Persian and Turkish Names Meaning King

Arabic "malik" and Persian "shah" both mean king; Turkic "khan" means ruler.

• Amir – Arabic, "prince, commander".
• Emir – Turkish and Arabic, "prince, commander".
• Hakan – Turkish, "emperor".
• Khan – Turkic and Mongol, "ruler".
• Kian – Persian, "king, royal".
• Malek – Arabic and Persian, a form of Malik, "king".
• Malik – Arabic, "king".
• Melik – Turkish, "king", from Arabic.
• Padishah – Persian, "great king, emperor".
• Shah – Persian, "king".
• Shahzad – Persian, "prince", literally "born of the king".
• Sultan – Arabic, "ruler, authority".

Sanskrit and Indian Names Meaning King

Sanskrit "raja" means king, "indra" lord, and "nara" man; together they build many royal names.

• Bhupati – Sanskrit, "lord of the earth, king".
• Bhupendra – Sanskrit, "king of kings".
• Maharaj – Sanskrit, "great king".
• Mahendra – Sanskrit, "great lord".
• Mahipal – Sanskrit, "protector of the earth, king".
• Narendra – Sanskrit, "king of men".
• Naresh – Sanskrit, "lord of men, king".
• Nripendra – Sanskrit, "king of kings".
• Raj – Sanskrit, "king, rule".
• Raja – Sanskrit, "king".
• Rajan – Sanskrit, "king".
• Rajendra – Sanskrit, "king of kings".
• Rajesh – Sanskrit, "lord of kings".
• Rajkumar – Sanskrit, "prince".
• Rajvir – Sanskrit, "brave king".

African, Asian and Pacific Names Meaning King

From the Yoruba "oba" and the Igbo "eze" to the Hawaiian "moʻī" and the Chinese "wang".

• Ade – Yoruba, "crown, royalty".
• Adeola – Yoruba, "crown of wealth".
• Adewale – Yoruba, "the crown has come home".
• Aliʻi – Hawaiian, "chief, royalty".
• Eze – Igbo, "king".
• Kgosi – Tswana, "king, chief".
• Mansa – Mandinka, "king, emperor".
• Moʻī – Hawaiian, "king".
• Negus – Amharic, "king".
• Nkosi – Zulu and Xhosa, "lord, king".
• Oba – Yoruba, "king".
• Tuʻi – Tongan, "king".
• Wang – Chinese, 王, "king"; one of the most common surnames in China.

Names That Mean Queen, Princess or Royal

For girls, or for anyone who prefers the queen to the king.

• Basilia – Greek, "royal"; feminine of Basil.
• Begum – Turkish and Urdu, "queen, lady".
• Malika – Arabic, "queen".
• Malka – Hebrew, "queen".
• Queenie – English, a pet name from "queen".
• Rajkumari – Sanskrit, "princess".
• Rani – Sanskrit, "queen".
• Regina – Latin, "queen".
• Reina – Spanish, "queen".
• Rhiannon – Welsh, from Brythonic Rigantona, "great queen".
• Sara – Hebrew, "princess"; a form of Sarah.
• Sarah – Hebrew, "princess".
• Shahzadi – Persian and Urdu, "princess".
• Sultana – Arabic, feminine of Sultan.
• Vasilisa – Russian, "queen", from Greek basilissa.

How to Choose a Name That Means King

A royal name carries weight. Five tips to make it sit lightly.

1. Choose subtle or obvious

King and Rex announce the meaning. Ryan, Henry and Basil carry it quietly, and most people never notice.

2. Use the family's language

Eze for an Igbo family, Malik for an Arabic-speaking one, Rory for an Irish one. The meaning lands harder in the language it comes from.

3. Check the title rules

Some countries restrict royal titles as given names. King, Prince and Duke have been refused by registrars in parts of the world, so check yours before the paperwork.

4. Say it with the surname

Short royal names like Rex or Raj pair well with longer surnames. Longer ones like Bhupendra or Melchizedek suit a short one.

5. Think about school

A boy called King will hear jokes. A boy called Ryan will not. Pick the level of attention you want for him.

FAQs

What boy's name means king?

Rex (Latin), Malik (Arabic), Raja (Sanskrit), Oba (Yoruba), Eze (Igbo), Melech (Hebrew) and Leroy (French) all mean king. Ryan and Rian mean "little king".

What girl's name means queen?

Regina (Latin), Reina (Spanish), Malika (Arabic), Malka (Hebrew) and Rani (Sanskrit) mean queen. Rhiannon means "great queen".

Does Ryan really mean little king?

Ryan comes from the Irish surname Ó Riain. It is usually explained through "rí", the Irish word for king, as "little king".

Conclusion: Names That Mean King

A name that means king can be loud, like Rex, or quiet, like Henry. Choose by sound first and meaning second, and it will wear well. For more, see these king names and names that mean power.

Tags: Baby Names, Name Meanings, King, Royal