Kanye
Evidently from Igbo Kanye, although inspiration from other African languages may have contributed.
Every Kanye since 2002 — 1,428 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Kanye
- Kanye West Singer · b. 1977
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
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).