Nkosi: 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	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1970s	–	36	36	4	–	#3,865
1980s	–	22	22	2	-39%	#5,440
1990s	–	121	121	12	+450%	#3,552
2000s	7	114	121	12	0%	#2,515
2010s	–	53	53	5	-56%	#6,679
2020s (to 2025)	–	28	28	5	-12%	#9,308

Decade

Girls

Boys

Total

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

1960s

–

1970s

–

#3,865

1980s

–

-39%

#5,440

1990s

–

121

+450%

#3,552

2000s

114

121

#2,515

2010s

–

-56%

#6,679

2020s (to 2025)

–

-12%

#9,308

The story of Nkosi

Nkosi is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,386 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1972, 381 American babies have been named Nkosi. Its peak came in 2001, when 46 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 Nkosi stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Nkosi?

The median living Nkosi is about 24 years old; half are between 18 and 31. An estimated 400 people named Nkosi 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.

Nkosi 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	–	–	7	#10,386
2024	–	–	–	–
2023	–	–	–	–
2022	–	–	7	#10,551
2021	–	–	6	#11,740
2020	–	–	8	#9,308
2019	–	–	13	#6,679
2018	–	–	–	–
2017	–	–	7	#10,474
2016	–	–	–	–
2015	–	–	6	#11,699
2014	–	–	5	#13,470
2013	–	–	7	#10,415
2012	–	–	8	#9,469
2011	–	–	–	–
2010	–	–	7	#10,437
2009	–	–	6	#12,050
2008	–	–	5	#14,030
2007	–	–	8	#9,513
2006	–	–	8	#9,325
2005	–	–	10	#7,502
2004	–	–	10	#7,380
2003	–	–	11	#6,596
2002	–	–	11	#6,398
2001	7	#13,104	39	#2,515
2000	–	–	6	#9,969
1995	–	–	14	#4,443
1990	–	–	6	#7,830
1985	–	–	–	–
1980	–	–	–	–
1975	–	–	–	–
1970	–	–	–	–
1965	–	–	–	–
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Nkosi?

The median living Nkosi is about 24 years old. Half of all living Nkosis are between 18 and 31 years old.

How many people named Nkosi are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Nkosi are alive in the United States, based on 381 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Nkosi in 2025?

Nkosi ranked #10,386 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Nkosi?

381 babies have been named Nkosi in the United States since 1972, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Nkosi most popular?

Nkosi peaked in 2001, when 46 newborns received the name.

Is Nkosi a boy or girl name?

Nkosi is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 98% of babies with the name.

Is the name Nkosi rising or falling?

Nkosi is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Nkosi

Nkosi popularity over time

The story of Nkosi

How old are people named Nkosi?

Nkosi year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Nkosi