Knox
Borrowed from Scottish Gaelic cnoc (“round hill”).
Every Knox since 1881 — 24,382 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Knox
Knox is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #196 in 2025 with 1,836 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1881, 24,382 American babies have been named Knox. Its peak came in 2022, when 1,931 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 Knox stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Knox 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 | 13 | #8,121 | 1,836 | #196 |
| 2024 | 20 | #6,056 | 1,706 | #209 |
| 2023 | 22 | #5,656 | 1,783 | #208 |
| 2022 | 29 | #4,731 | 1,902 | #199 |
| 2021 | 23 | #5,487 | 1,737 | #220 |
| 2020 | 18 | #6,506 | 1,530 | #238 |
| 2019 | 19 | #6,304 | 1,563 | #241 |
| 2018 | 21 | #5,913 | 1,707 | #219 |
| 2017 | 18 | #6,690 | 1,640 | #233 |
| 2016 | 16 | #7,442 | 1,539 | #245 |
| 2015 | 14 | #8,233 | 1,403 | #258 |
| 2014 | 11 | #9,879 | 1,244 | #286 |
| 2013 | 9 | #11,513 | 928 | #344 |
| 2012 | — | — | 822 | #368 |
| 2011 | 7 | #14,116 | 630 | #434 |
| 2010 | — | — | 579 | #459 |
| 2009 | — | — | 341 | #704 |
| 2008 | — | — | 93 | #1,661 |
| 2007 | — | — | 61 | #2,201 |
| 2006 | — | — | 60 | #2,163 |
| 2005 | — | — | 48 | #2,415 |
| 2004 | — | — | 50 | #2,297 |
| 2003 | — | — | 33 | #2,968 |
| 2002 | — | — | 25 | #3,515 |
| 2001 | — | — | 20 | #4,051 |
| 2000 | — | — | 22 | #3,712 |
| 1995 | — | — | 11 | #5,353 |
| 1990 | — | — | 7 | #6,842 |
| 1985 | — | — | 8 | #4,950 |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | 8 | #3,689 |
| 1965 | — | — | 5 | #4,213 |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | 8 | #3,099 |
| 1950 | — | — | 10 | #2,507 |
| 1945 | — | — | 9 | #2,490 |
| 1940 | — | — | 15 | #1,852 |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,627 |
| 1930 | — | — | 13 | #2,241 |
| 1925 | — | — | 11 | #2,677 |
| 1920 | — | — | 16 | #2,096 |
| 1915 | — | — | 9 | #2,732 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | 8 | #1,006 |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Knox mean?
Borrowed from Scottish Gaelic cnoc (“round hill”).
How popular is the name Knox in 2025?
Knox ranked #196 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,836 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Knox?
24,382 babies have been named Knox in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Knox most popular?
Knox peaked in 2022, when 1,931 newborns received the name.
Is Knox a boy or girl name?
Knox is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Knox rising or falling?
Knox is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.