Kestrel is a rare girls' name that has climbed to its highest level yet, peaking in 2023.
Kestrel is predominantly a girl name. In 2025 it ranked #6,985 for girl births in the United States (and #12,078 across all names), given to 16 babies. Kestrel was first reported in SSA data in 1985 and peaked in 2019 (19 births).
| Year | U.S. births | U.S. + territories | ♀ Rank | ♂ Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 16 | #6,985 | — |
| 2024 | 14 | 14 | #11,660 | #11,701 |
| 2023 | 21 | 21 | #7,463 | #11,589 |
| 2022 | 16 | 16 | #7,132 | — |
| 2021 | 17 | 17 | #8,733 | #13,172 |
| 2020 | 18 | 18 | #8,199 | #13,155 |
| 2019 | 19 | 19 | #6,300 | — |
| 2018 | 12 | 12 | #8,907 | — |
| 2017 | 16 | 16 | #7,262 | — |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 | #12,339 | — |
| 2015 | 11 | 11 | #9,820 | — |
| 2014 | 17 | 17 | #7,157 | — |
| 2013 | 8 | 8 | #12,606 | — |
| 2012 | 14 | 14 | #11,769 | #13,306 |
| 2011 | 10 | 10 | #10,802 | — |
| 2010 | 5 | 5 | #18,481 | — |
| 2009 | 8 | 8 | #13,085 | — |
| 2008 | 7 | 7 | #14,612 | — |
| 2007 | 6 | 6 | #16,566 | — |
| 2006 | 9 | 9 | #11,948 | — |
| 2004 | 5 | 5 | #17,492 | — |
| 2003 | 9 | 9 | #10,874 | — |
| 2002 | 6 | 6 | #14,538 | — |
| 2001 | 8 | 8 | #11,542 | — |
| 2000 | 5 | 5 | #16,335 | — |
| 1999 | 9 | 9 | #9,918 | — |
| 1998 | 6 | 6 | #13,285 | — |
| 1997 | 12 | — | #7,509 | — |
| 1995 | 5 | — | #14,581 | — |
| 1994 | 6 | — | #12,601 | — |
| 1992 | 5 | — | #14,368 | — |
| 1986 | 5 | — | #11,812 | — |
| 1985 | 6 | — | #9,938 | — |