Kirk is of Scottish origin, derived from the word "cairig," which means "fortified hill." It was originally used as a surname but has since evolved into a given name. In English-speaking countries, Kirk is often used as a unisex name, though it is more commonly associated with males. The name gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, peaking in usage between 1950 and 1960. Some notable individuals named Kirk include American actor Kirk Douglas and Canadian musician Kirk Hammett of the heavy metal band Metallica.
The name Kirk experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with peak periods around the late 1950s to early 1970s and again in the mid-1980s. The highest number of births recorded was 13 in 1970, while the lowest was 5 in both 1961 and 1977. Overall, there were a total of 197 births with the name Kirk between 1952 and 1993.