Kale
Every Kale since 1917 — 7,605 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kale
Kale is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,419 in 2025 with 11 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1917, 7,605 American babies have been named Kale. Its peak came in 2008, when 567 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Kale stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kale 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 | — | — | 11 | #7,419 |
| 2024 | — | — | 18 | #5,336 |
| 2023 | — | — | 13 | #6,708 |
| 2022 | — | — | 23 | #4,503 |
| 2021 | — | — | 28 | #3,871 |
| 2020 | — | — | 25 | #4,081 |
| 2019 | — | — | 26 | #4,059 |
| 2018 | — | — | 46 | #2,688 |
| 2017 | — | — | 62 | #2,177 |
| 2016 | — | — | 101 | #1,607 |
| 2015 | — | — | 177 | #1,097 |
| 2014 | — | — | 216 | #971 |
| 2013 | 5 | #17,888 | 259 | #830 |
| 2012 | 11 | #10,055 | 325 | #722 |
| 2011 | 5 | #18,129 | 424 | #590 |
| 2010 | 13 | #8,959 | 423 | #591 |
| 2009 | 15 | #8,242 | 521 | #518 |
| 2008 | 23 | #6,030 | 544 | #504 |
| 2007 | 18 | #7,238 | 382 | #635 |
| 2006 | 23 | #5,812 | 272 | #767 |
| 2005 | 10 | #10,504 | 264 | #754 |
| 2004 | — | — | 225 | #803 |
| 2003 | 5 | #16,990 | 184 | #907 |
| 2002 | — | — | 179 | #904 |
| 2001 | 6 | #14,381 | 158 | #975 |
| 2000 | 6 | #13,996 | 150 | #990 |
| 1995 | — | — | 94 | #1,196 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9,662 | 108 | #1,021 |
| 1985 | 8 | #7,895 | 92 | #955 |
| 1980 | — | — | 43 | #1,455 |
| 1975 | — | — | 36 | #1,490 |
| 1970 | — | — | 28 | #1,640 |
| 1965 | — | — | 7 | #3,403 |
| 1960 | — | — | 9 | #2,970 |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | 6 | #3,163 |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | 11 | #2,674 |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kale in 2025?
Kale ranked #7,419 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 11 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kale?
7,605 babies have been named Kale in the United States since 1917, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kale most popular?
Kale peaked in 2008, when 567 newborns received the name.
Is Kale a boy or girl name?
Kale is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 97% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kale rising or falling?
Kale is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.