Declining since 2009, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Kale since 1917
Babies named Kale per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 11 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 41 |
| 1960s | 117 |
| 1970s | 322 |
| 1980s | 745 |
| 1990s | 1,070 |
| 2000s | 2,879 |
| 2010s | 2,059 |
| 2020s | 118 |
Meaning & origin
Kale, first recorded as a given name in 1917, has seen modest but steady use in the United States. Its peak popularity came in 2008, when it ranked highest among the data available. Since 2009, however, the name has been on a declining trajectory, reflecting a broader shift away from nature-inspired short names. Despite its vegetable association, Kale remains firmly a masculine name, with 1 in 155,280 boys receiving it in 2025. Its usage is more common in the South and West, though no single state stands out as a stronghold. The name carries a modern, earthy feel, fitting alongside other short 'K' names like Cole and Cale.
Kale is a transferred use of the English surname, which itself derives from the Old English cāl or cawel, meaning 'cabbage' or 'kale'. The name gained popularity as a given name in the late 20th century, likely influenced by the health food movement and the rise of kale as a superfood. It has been in occasional use since the early 1900s.
Where Kale is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Kale
Names that share Kale's style, for a brother or sister.
