Kanye: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#12,964

among boys · ↓6,633 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Kanye

How common

1 in 341,615

boys born in 2025

Peak year

2004

528 babies

All-time total

1,428

#4,144 all-time among boys

First recorded

2002

in Social Security records

Kanye popularity over time

1,428 babies have been named Kanye since 2002, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1970s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1980s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1990s	–	–	–	–	–	–
2000s	24	1,102	1,126	113	–	#486
2010s	–	239	239	24	-79%	#2,871
2020s (to 2025)	–	63	63	11	-56%	#6,317

The story of Kanye

Kanye is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #12,964 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 2002, 1,428 American babies have been named Kanye. Its peak came in 2004, when 528 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

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 Kanye stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Kanye?

The median living Kanye is about 20 years old; half are between 16 and 21. An estimated 1,400 people named Kanye are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Kanye 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	–	–	5	#12,964
2024	–	–	14	#6,331
2023	–	–	13	#6,715
2022	–	–	14	#6,317
2021	–	–	12	#6,898
2020	–	–	5	#13,076
2019	–	–	7	#10,290
2018	–	–	13	#6,531
2017	–	–	13	#6,495
2016	–	–	17	#5,430
2015	–	–	27	#3,936
2014	–	–	22	#4,463
2013	–	–	40	#2,871
2012	–	–	35	#3,206
2011	–	–	35	#3,208
2010	–	–	30	#3,586
2009	–	–	64	#2,129
2008	–	–	81	#1,817
2007	–	–	53	#2,426
2006	–	–	101	#1,504
2005	5	#17,797	202	#893
2004	19	#6,357	509	#486
2003	–	–	87	#1,493
2002	–	–	5	#11,594
2001	–	–	–	–
2000	–	–	–	–
1995	–	–	–	–
1990	–	–	–	–
1985	–	–	–	–
1980	–	–	–	–
1975	–	–	–	–
1970	–	–	–	–
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1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Kanye

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Kanye West American rapper and producer (born 1977) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Kanye, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Kanye?

The median living Kanye is about 20 years old. Half of all living Kanyes are between 16 and 21 years old.

How many people named Kanye are alive today?

An estimated 1,400 people named Kanye are alive in the United States, based on 1,428 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Kanye mean?

Evidently from Igbo Kanye, although inspiration from other African languages may have contributed.

How popular is the name Kanye in 2025?

Kanye ranked #12,964 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Kanye?

1,428 babies have been named Kanye in the United States since 2002, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Kanye most popular?

Kanye peaked in 2004, when 528 newborns received the name.

Is Kanye a boy or girl name?

Kanye is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 98% of babies with the name.

Is the name Kanye rising or falling?

Kanye is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Kanye?

Well-known people named Kanye include Kanye West (singer).

Names like Kanye

Names that sound and feel close to Kanye: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Kanye with similar names → More names starting with K →