Holding steady, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Knute since 1880
Babies named Knute per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1931, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Knute's real moment was 1893.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 17 |
| 1890s | 23 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 68 |
| 1920s | 67 |
| 1930s | 84 |
| 1940s | 92 |
| 1950s | 115 |
| 1960s | 74 |
| 1970s | 39 |
| 1980s | 25 |
| 1990s | 31 |
| 2000s | 25 |
| 2010s | 21 |
| 2020s | 10 |
Meaning & origin
Knute is a distinctly rare name in the United States, with its peak popularity occurring in 1893 during the 1890s. It was first recorded in 1880 and has remained stable in usage over the decades rather than experiencing a revival. The name is found among Scandinavian-descent families but is not concentrated in any particular state. While it may evoke the medieval King Canute, its modern bearers are few, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with Old World roots.
Knute is a Scandinavian name, most likely a variant of Knut or Cnut, which derives from Old Norse 'knútr' meaning 'knot'. The name is historically associated with the 11th-century King Cnut (Canute) of Denmark, England, and Norway. In modern times, it is rare but has persisted in Scandinavian and Scandinavian-American communities.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Knut, Cnut, Canute
Sibling names for Knute
Names that share Knute's style, for a brother or sister.
