Knute: 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	17	2	–	#908
1890s	23	2	+35%	#874
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	68	7	–	#1,746
1920s	67	7	-1%	#2,518
1930s	84	8	+25%	#1,669
1940s	92	9	+10%	#2,148
1950s	115	12	+25%	#1,985
1960s	74	7	-36%	#2,604
1970s	39	4	-47%	#3,453
1980s	25	3	-36%	#4,788
1990s	31	3	+24%	#7,244
2000s	25	3	-19%	#8,278
2010s	21	2	-16%	#11,513
2020s (to 2025)	10	2	-21%	#7,980

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#908

1890s

+35%

#874

1900s

–

1910s

–

#1,746

1920s

-1%

#2,518

1930s

+25%

#1,669

1940s

+10%

#2,148

1950s

115

+25%

#1,985

1960s

-36%

#2,604

1970s

-47%

#3,453

1980s

-36%

#4,788

1990s

+24%

#7,244

2000s

-19%

#8,278

2010s

-16%

#11,513

2020s (to 2025)

-21%

#7,980

The story of Knute

Knute is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,980 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 691 American babies have been named Knute. Its peak came in 1931, when 19 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1930s.

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

How old are people named Knute?

The median living Knute is about 60 years old; half are between 36 and 71. An estimated 300 people named Knute 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.

Knute year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	10	#7,980
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	5	#13,279
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	5	#13,168
2014	6	#11,513
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	5	#13,456
2010	–	–
2009	6	#11,817
2008	5	#13,691
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	6	#10,745
2003	8	#8,278
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	5	#5,116
1965	10	#2,701
1960	10	#2,781
1955	16	#2,009
1950	9	#2,678
1945	9	#2,491
1940	8	#2,771
1935	10	#2,465
1930	9	#2,895
1925	–	–
1920	5	#4,651
1915	9	#2,733
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	5	#997

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Knute?

The median living Knute is about 60 years old. Half of all living Knutes are between 36 and 71 years old.

How many people named Knute are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Knute are alive in the United States, based on 691 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Knute in 2025?

Knute ranked #7,980 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Knute?

691 babies have been named Knute in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Knute most popular?

Knute peaked in 1931, when 19 newborns received the name.

Is Knute a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Knute rising or falling?

Knute has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Knute

Knute popularity over time

The story of Knute

How old are people named Knute?

Knute year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Knute