If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and seen a twelve-year-old girl rocking a vintage Prada bag or a toddler with better jewelry than your retirement fund, you’ve met the West children. Honestly, it’s hard to remember a time when kim kardashian kids names weren't a constant fixture in pop culture discourse. From the moment "North" was first whispered as a possibility, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. But there is a lot more to these choices than just celebrity eccentricities or "branding."
Most people think these names are just random words pulled out of a hat to stay trendy. That's not really how it went down. Each name—North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm—actually has a fairly specific, and sometimes surprisingly emotional, backstory that explains why Kim and Kanye West ditched the family "K" tradition entirely.
Why North West Wasn't Actually Kim's Idea
Let's get the biggest one out of the way. North West. When Kim was pregnant back in 2013, the rumors were flying. People were making "South by Southwest" jokes on Twitter (now X) before the baby was even born. Kim actually hated the name at first. She thought it was a joke.
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Then, Pharrell Williams approached her and Kanye at a dinner. He told them he thought "North" was a genius name. A little while later, Anna Wintour—the literal queen of Vogue—said the exact same thing. When Anna Wintour tells you a name is genius, you basically have to use it.
But it wasn't just about the fashion world's approval. Kris Jenner eventually explained on The View that for Kim and Kanye, "North" represented their "highest point together." It’s a cardinal direction, sure, but for them, it was about the highest power. It’s funny because, in 2026, North is essentially a mini-mogul herself, performing at the Lion King Hollywood Bowl concert and launching her own projects. She really lived up to the "top of the mountain" vibe.
Saint: The "Miracle" Child
Saint West arrived on December 5, 2015.
His name is a bit more straightforward, but the context is heavy. If you followed Kim’s journey back then, you know her second pregnancy was a nightmare. She dealt with preeclampsia and placenta accreta—conditions that are genuinely dangerous.
Because the pregnancy was so difficult, the couple started referring to the baby as a "saint" long before he was born. He was their "blessing." Kanye, who has always been deeply focused on the weight of words, felt that people live up to their names. He wanted something with spiritual significance.
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- Birth Date: December 5, 2015
- Sign: Sagittarius
- The Vibe: Low-key compared to North, but often seen at basketball games with Kim.
The Story Behind Chicago and Psalm
When it came time for the third and fourth children, things changed. Kim used surrogates for Chicago and Psalm because of her previous health scares. She’s been very open about the fact that naming a baby born via surrogate is actually harder. You don’t have that nine-month "pressure cooker" feeling where the name just comes to you through the physical experience.
Chicago Noel West
Chicago was born January 15, 2018. If you’re wondering why a kid is named after a city in Illinois, it’s a tribute to Kanye’s late mother, Donda West, and the city where he was raised.
Kim actually struggled with this one. She usually prefers one-syllable names (like North and Saint). She almost went with "Rei" or "Noel," but eventually settled on Chicago. Most of the family just calls her "Chi" (pronounced "Shy"). Interestingly, Chicago is the only one of the kids who has a middle name—Noel—which she shares with Kim.
Psalm Ye West
The youngest, Psalm, arrived May 9, 2019.
Kanye was heavily into his "Sunday Service" era at this point. He was reading the Bible constantly. They almost named him "Ye," but Kanye decided he wanted something with more traditional meaning. Kylie Jenner actually stepped in at the last minute and helped them finalize "Psalm."
According to Kris Jenner, the name was inspired by the Book of Psalms in the Bible. It fits the spiritual theme they started with Saint. He’s the "baby" of the family, often seen in the background of Kim’s TikToks looking remarkably chill compared to the chaotic energy of his older siblings.
The "K" Tradition: Why They Broke It
You've probably noticed that none of the kids have names starting with K. This was a very deliberate choice by Kim.
Basically, she didn’t want to be "Kim, Kanye, and a K baby." She was worried that if they had a third "K," the media would start calling them the KKK. It’s a valid concern when you’re that famous. Plus, they wanted the kids to have their own identities separate from the "Kris Jenner Branding Machine."
Kourtney started the trend of breaking the "K" rule with Mason, and Kim just ran with it. In a family where everyone's name starts with the same letter, having a name like North or Psalm actually makes you stand out more. It’s a different kind of branding.
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What This Means for Your Own Naming Strategy
If you're looking at kim kardashian kids names for inspiration, there are a few real-world takeaways you can actually use. You don't have to name your kid after a city or a cardinal direction to be meaningful.
- Look for Personal Landmarks: Chicago wasn't just a random city; it was Kanye's home. Think about places that shaped you.
- Consider the "Weight" of the Word: Kanye believes names are self-fulfilling prophecies. Whether you believe that or not, picking a name with a strong meaning (like Saint or Psalm) gives the child a story to tell.
- Say it Out Loud with the Last Name: "North West" sounds like a joke until you realize how rhythmic it is. "Chicago West" has a certain ring to it.
- Don't Feel Rushed: Kim didn't name her kids until they were actually born. In many states, you have about 10 days to file the paperwork. Use that time to see if the name actually fits the baby's face.
The reality is that these names aren't just for show. They are markers of specific times in Kim and Kanye's lives—from the "highest point" of their early marriage to the "blessing" of a difficult birth, and finally, a tribute to family roots and spiritual shifts.
To dig deeper into how these names have influenced modern baby trends, you can check out the latest data on Social Security Administration baby name rankings to see how many people are now naming their children North or Saint. It’s a lot more than you’d think.