Ki
Every Ki since 1946 — 535 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ki
Ki 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 1946, 535 American babies have been named Ki — about 80% boys and 20% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2005, when 23 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 Ki stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ki 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 | 5 | #16,446 | — | — |
| 2022 | 6 | #14,505 | 7 | #10,374 |
| 2021 | — | — | 8 | #9,302 |
| 2020 | — | — | 5 | #13,183 |
| 2019 | — | — | 10 | #7,956 |
| 2018 | — | — | 7 | #10,256 |
| 2017 | — | — | 13 | #6,513 |
| 2016 | — | — | 10 | #7,909 |
| 2015 | — | — | 5 | #13,139 |
| 2014 | — | — | 13 | #6,486 |
| 2013 | — | — | 9 | #8,487 |
| 2012 | — | — | 12 | #6,851 |
| 2011 | 6 | #15,855 | 5 | #13,438 |
| 2010 | — | — | 10 | #7,896 |
| 2009 | — | — | 13 | #6,658 |
| 2008 | 6 | #16,501 | 8 | #9,478 |
| 2007 | 6 | #16,589 | 8 | #9,377 |
| 2006 | — | — | 6 | #11,417 |
| 2005 | 5 | #17,908 | 18 | #4,743 |
| 2004 | — | — | 11 | #6,792 |
| 2003 | 7 | #13,173 | 13 | #5,737 |
| 2002 | — | — | 20 | #4,128 |
| 2001 | 7 | #12,783 | 11 | #6,254 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,504 | 6 | #9,770 |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | 10 | #5,206 |
| 1985 | — | — | 5 | #7,101 |
| 1980 | 5 | #11,200 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | 5 | #4,208 |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Ki
- Ki no Tsurayuki Writer · 866–945
- Ki Hajar Dewantara Politician · 1889–1959
- Ki no Tomonori Writer · 850–904
- Ki Sung-yueng Soccer player · b. 1989
- Ki Hong Lee Actor · b. 1986
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Ki in 2025?
Ki 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 Ki?
535 babies have been named Ki in the United States since 1946, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ki most popular?
Ki peaked in 2005, when 23 newborns received the name.
Is Ki a boy or girl name?
Ki is used for both: about 20% of babies named Ki have been girls and 80% boys.
Is the name Ki rising or falling?
Ki is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ki?
Well-known people named Ki include Ki no Tsurayuki (writer), Ki Hajar Dewantara (politician), Ki no Tomonori (writer).