Kingsley is an English given name originally derived from a surname that came from a place name meaning "king's wood" in Old English. The name is composed of the Old English elements cyning (king) and leah (woodland clearing). Historically, it referred to someone who lived near a king's clearing in a forest.Notable BearersKingsley has been borne by many notable individuals across various fields. In literature, Kingsley Amis (1922–1995) was an English novelist and poet. In acting, Kingsley Ben-Adir (born 1986) is a British actor. In sports, Kingsley Agbodike (born 1999) is a Nigerian footballer. The name also appears in politics, with figures such as Kingsley Asiam (1921–1982) and Kingsley Abayie, both Ghanaian politicians.Cultural SignificanceAs a given name, Kingsley has seen modest use in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. Its popularity experienced a minor boost following the release of the 2007 film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which featured the character Kingsley Shacklebolt, a member of the Order of the Phoenix.Variants and Related NamesKingsley is also a surname, and there are no common variant forms of the given name. Related names include those derived from similar elements, such as Kingston and Lesley.Meaning: "king's wood" from Old EnglishOrigin: English locational surnameType: Given nameUsage: Primarily English-speaking countries