Kem
Every Kem since 1942 — 1,033 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kem
Kem is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1942, 1,033 American babies have been named Kem — about 66% boys and 34% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1956, when 85 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Kem stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kem 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | 6 | #10,825 |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | 5 | #6,782 |
| 1975 | 7 | #7,522 | — | — |
| 1970 | 11 | #4,900 | 10 | #3,175 |
| 1965 | 20 | #2,784 | 25 | #1,576 |
| 1960 | 21 | #2,685 | 26 | #1,606 |
| 1955 | 14 | #3,158 | 32 | #1,355 |
| 1950 | — | — | 9 | #2,675 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kem in 2025?
Kem did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Kem?
1,033 babies have been named Kem in the United States since 1942, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kem most popular?
Kem peaked in 1956, when 85 newborns received the name.
Is Kem a boy or girl name?
Kem is used for both: about 34% of babies named Kem have been girls and 66% boys.
Is the name Kem rising or falling?
Kem has been roughly stable over the past decade.