Kidd comes from an English surname meaning "young goat" or used as a nickname for a lively child.
Kidd traces its roots to the Old Norse word "kið" and Middle English "kid," originally referring to a young goat. As a surname it spread across Britain and Scandinavia as a nickname for someone lively or nimble, eventually making the leap to given-name territory in the way many strong Anglo-American surnames have. Its most notorious historical bearer is Captain William Kidd (c.
1645–1701), the Scottish privateer whose disputed execution for piracy made him a legend — his buried treasure, never conclusively found, has fueled centuries of treasure-hunting folklore. The name also appears in American frontier lore through figures like Billy the Kid, cementing its association with youth, daring, and the untamed West. In modern usage Kidd sits squarely in the surname-as-first-name trend that accelerated in the late twentieth century, joining the company of names like Reid, Beau, and Crew.
It carries an inherently youthful energy — apt, given its etymological roots — while its single syllable gives it a punchy, contemporary feel. Parents drawn to it often cite its balance of rugged individuality and cool restraint. It is more common as a middle name in formal registers but appears with increasing frequency as a standalone given name in English-speaking countries, particularly the United States and Australia.