Kelso: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	33	3	–	#3,067
1920s	34	3	+3%	#2,560
1930s	23	2	-32%	#2,456
1940s	17	2	-26%	#3,079
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	–	–	–	–
1980s	–	–	–	–
1990s	5	1	–	#9,489
2000s	72	7	+1340%	#5,675
2010s	94	9	+31%	#5,695
2020s (to 2025)	109	18	+93%	#4,383

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#3,067

1920s

+3%

#2,560

1930s

-32%

#2,456

1940s

-26%

#3,079

1950s

–

1960s

–

1970s

–

1980s

–

1990s

–

#9,489

2000s

+1340%

#5,675

2010s

+31%

#5,695

2020s (to 2025)

109

+93%

#4,383

The story of Kelso

Kelso is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,287 in 2025 with 14 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1915, 387 American babies have been named Kelso. Its peak came in 2024, when 24 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2020s.

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

How old are people named Kelso?

The median living Kelso is about 8 years old; half are between 3 and 17. An estimated 300 people named Kelso 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.

Kelso year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	14	#6,287
2024	24	#4,383
2023	23	#4,537
2022	19	#5,127
2021	13	#6,510
2020	16	#5,579
2019	16	#5,695
2018	10	#7,901
2017	13	#6,502
2016	7	#10,237
2015	10	#7,783
2014	9	#8,484
2013	8	#9,250
2012	7	#10,284
2011	7	#10,236
2010	7	#10,250
2009	10	#8,017
2008	8	#9,454
2007	14	#6,113
2006	15	#5,675
2005	5	#12,443
2004	–	–
2003	6	#10,267
2002	9	#7,360
2001	5	#11,517
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	6	#3,457
1930	–	–
1925	5	#4,583
1920	5	#4,641
1915	6	#3,633
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Kelso?

The median living Kelso is about 8 years old. Half of all living Kelsos are between 3 and 17 years old.

How many people named Kelso are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Kelso are alive in the United States, based on 387 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Kelso mean?

Kelso is a surname and a given name.

How popular is the name Kelso in 2025?

Kelso ranked #6,287 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 14 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Kelso?

387 babies have been named Kelso in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Kelso most popular?

Kelso peaked in 2024, when 24 newborns received the name.

Is Kelso a boy or girl name?

Kelso is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Kelso rising or falling?

Kelso is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Kelso

Kelso popularity over time

The story of Kelso

How old are people named Kelso?

Kelso year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Kelso