Declining since 2005, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Kanye since 2002
Babies named Kanye per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,102 |
| 2010s | 239 |
| 2020s | 63 |
Meaning & origin
Kanye first entered U.S. birth records in 2002, coinciding with the rise of rapper and producer Kanye West. It peaked in popularity in 2004 at rank 1,894, though that year's count remains modest. The name has since declined steadily, falling to rank 12,008 by 2025, with about 1 in 341,615 newborns receiving the name. Its trajectory has been consistently downward since 2005, reflecting the name's close association with one public figure. The name's Yoruba origin and meaning 'only one' or 'foremost' gives it a distinct cultural and linguistic background, even as its modern use is primarily a celebrity influence. Kanye remains rare nationwide, with no state concentrations notable enough to record.
Kanye is a Yoruba name meaning 'only one' or 'foremost'. It gained international recognition through the American musician and fashion designer Kanye West, whose prominence led to its adoption as a given name in English-speaking countries.
Sibling names for Kanye
Names that share Kanye's style, for a brother or sister.
