Unisex name · peaked 1974

Che

Every Che since 1968 — 2,469 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#7,773
among boys
Babies in 2025
10
named Che
Peak year
1974
112 babies
All-time total
2,469
since 1968

The story of Che

Che is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,773 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1968, 2,469 American babies have been named Che — about 85% boys and 15% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1974, when 112 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.

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 Che stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Che 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 10 #7,773
2024 15 #5,959
2023 8 #9,066
2022 19 #5,055
2021 20 #4,808
2020 12 #6,702
2019 22 #4,508
2018 14 #6,089
2017 16 #5,570
2016 15 #5,834
2015 20 #4,746
2014 21 #4,564
2013 12 #6,677
2012 30 #3,547
2011 5 #17,334 23 #4,249
2010 28 #3,726
2009 33 #3,348
2008 41 #2,889
2007 29 #3,614
2006 44 #2,665
2005 5 #17,023 44 #2,533
2004 8 #11,834 40 #2,650
2003 5 #16,273 30 #3,129
2002 5 #15,940 43 #2,383
2001 31 #2,943
2000 5 #15,514 41 #2,340
1995 5 #13,841 31 #2,456
1990 12 #6,947 33 #2,179
1985 17 #4,491 21 #2,437
1980 9 #6,882 53 #1,274
1975 15 #4,177 82 #906
1970 15 #3,895 92 #839
1965
1960
1955
1950
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Che

  1. Che Guevara Social activist · 1928–1967

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Che in 2025?

Che ranked #7,773 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Che?

2,469 babies have been named Che in the United States since 1968, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Che most popular?

Che peaked in 1974, when 112 newborns received the name.

Is Che a boy or girl name?

Che is used for both: about 15% of babies named Che have been girls and 85% boys.

Is the name Che rising or falling?

Che is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Che?

Well-known people named Che include Che Guevara (social activist).

Names like Che

Compare Che with similar names →