Kou
Every Kou since 1979 — 724 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kou
Kou 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 1979, 724 American babies have been named Kou. Its peak came in 1992, when 53 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Kou stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kou 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 | — | — | 5 | #13,397 |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | 6 | #11,547 |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | 9 | #8,479 |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | 5 | #13,605 |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | 5 | #13,518 |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | 10 | #7,438 |
| 2004 | — | — | 8 | #8,595 |
| 2003 | — | — | 8 | #8,285 |
| 2002 | — | — | 10 | #6,826 |
| 2001 | — | — | 8 | #7,993 |
| 2000 | — | — | 9 | #7,153 |
| 1995 | — | — | 22 | #3,153 |
| 1990 | 5 | #14,126 | 41 | #1,893 |
| 1985 | — | — | 29 | #1,998 |
| 1980 | — | — | 28 | #1,986 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kou in 2025?
Kou 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 Kou?
724 babies have been named Kou in the United States since 1979, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kou most popular?
Kou peaked in 1992, when 53 newborns received the name.
Is Kou a boy or girl name?
Kou is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 95% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kou rising or falling?
Kou is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.