Holding steady, #6,803 for boys today.
Popularity of Akin since 1971
Babies named Akin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1998, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Akin's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 58 |
| 1980s | 34 |
| 1990s | 87 |
| 2000s | 63 |
| 2010s | 60 |
| 2020s | 63 |
Meaning & origin
Akin is a Yoruba name meaning "brave" or "warrior," firmly rooted in Nigerian naming traditions. Since first appearing in U.S. records in 1971, it has seen modest but steady use. Its peak year was 2023, and the name currently ranks 6,803 with an incidence of 1 in 142,340 births. Akin is often a standalone name or a prefix in compound Yoruba names. It has not ranked among top states, but it carries cultural significance within Yoruba communities. The name's trajectory is stable, suggesting ongoing but low-frequency usage. Parents may choose Akin for its strong meaning and connection to Yoruba heritage.
Akin is a Yoruba name from southwestern Nigeria, derived from the element akin meaning "brave, heroic, warrior." It is often used as a short form or prefix in longer Yoruba names such as Akinwande ("bravery comes home") and Akintunde ("bravery returns"). The name has been in use among Yoruba families for generations and is common in Nigeria and among the African diaspora.
“Akin” around the world
Where Akin lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Akin
Names that share Akin's style, for a brother or sister.
