Akili
Every Akili since 1972 — 715 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Akili
Akili is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,757 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1972, 715 American babies have been named Akili — about 64% boys and 36% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1999, when 38 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Akili stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Akili year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 7 | #9,757 |
| 2024 | — | — | 7 | #9,933 |
| 2023 | — | — | 5 | #12,311 |
| 2022 | 6 | #13,668 | 8 | #9,013 |
| 2021 | 7 | #12,261 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | 9 | #8,105 |
| 2019 | 6 | #13,884 | 6 | #10,856 |
| 2018 | — | — | 11 | #7,146 |
| 2017 | — | — | 9 | #8,171 |
| 2016 | 10 | #10,142 | 7 | #9,702 |
| 2015 | — | — | 8 | #8,766 |
| 2014 | 6 | #14,650 | — | — |
| 2013 | 7 | #13,210 | 10 | #7,552 |
| 2012 | 11 | #9,730 | 5 | #12,341 |
| 2011 | 12 | #9,174 | — | — |
| 2010 | 9 | #11,288 | 8 | #8,826 |
| 2009 | 8 | #12,473 | 9 | #8,324 |
| 2008 | 10 | #10,838 | 5 | #12,609 |
| 2007 | 14 | #8,535 | 13 | #6,276 |
| 2006 | 11 | #9,923 | 6 | #10,712 |
| 2005 | 7 | #13,060 | 9 | #7,648 |
| 2004 | 10 | #9,910 | 9 | #7,553 |
| 2003 | 11 | #9,064 | 13 | #5,565 |
| 2002 | 6 | #13,644 | 13 | #5,404 |
| 2001 | 11 | #8,775 | 14 | #5,145 |
| 2000 | 16 | #6,495 | 22 | #3,645 |
| 1995 | 5 | #13,443 | 13 | #4,515 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | 6 | #5,539 |
| 1975 | — | — | 18 | #2,361 |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Akili in 2025?
Akili ranked #9,757 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Akili?
715 babies have been named Akili in the United States since 1972, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Akili most popular?
Akili peaked in 1999, when 38 newborns received the name.
Is Akili a boy or girl name?
Akili is used for both: about 36% of babies named Akili have been girls and 64% boys.
Is the name Akili rising or falling?
Akili is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.