Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1952

Kern

Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Kern
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1952
21 babies
All-time total
744
#6,179 all-time among boys
First recorded
1914
in Social Security records

Kern popularity over time

744 babies have been named Kern since 1914, 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
00.010.010.0218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1919Boys

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 39 4 – #2,330
1920s 53 5 +36% #3,087
1930s 66 7 +25% #2,365
1940s 99 10 +50% #1,760
1950s 150 15 +52% #1,689
1960s 134 13 -11% #1,848
1970s 83 8 -38% #2,657
1980s 49 5 -41% #5,244
1990s 46 5 -6% #6,149
2000s 19 2 -59% #8,798
2010s 6 1 -68% #11,577
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

The story of Kern

Kern 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 1914, 744 American babies have been named Kern. Its peak came in 1952, when 21 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 Kern stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Kern?

The median living Kern is about 60 years old; half are between 47 and 70. An estimated 500 people named Kern are alive in the United States today.

median 60 020406080100

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

Kern year by year

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

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 – –
2024 – –
2023 – –
2022 – –
2021 – –
2020 – –
2019 – –
2018 – –
2017 – –
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 – –
2012 6 #11,577
2011 – –
2010 – –
2009 – –
2008 6 #11,882
2007 – –
2006 – –
2005 – –
2004 6 #10,714
2003 – –
2002 – –
2001 7 #8,798
2000 – –
1995 – –
1990 8 #6,149
1985 7 #5,473
1980 7 #5,244
1975 7 #4,567
1970 9 #3,408
1965 18 #1,890
1960 18 #1,946
1955 12 #2,370
1950 9 #2,676
1945 5 #3,555
1940 7 #3,009
1935 – –
1930 9 #2,894
1925 5 #4,586
1920 9 #3,087
1915 7 #3,236
1910 – –
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Kern?

The median living Kern is about 60 years old. Half of all living Kerns are between 47 and 70 years old.

How many people named Kern are alive today?

An estimated 500 people named Kern are alive in the United States, based on 744 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Kern in 2025?

Kern 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 Kern?

744 babies have been named Kern in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Kern most popular?

Kern peaked in 1952, when 21 newborns received the name.

Is Kern a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Kern rising or falling?

Kern has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Kern

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

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