Kao
Every Kao since 1980 — 719 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kao
Kao is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,304 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1980, 719 American babies have been named Kao — about 66% boys and 34% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1981, when 54 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 Kao stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kao 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 | — | — | 8 | #9,304 |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | 5 | #13,194 |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | 5 | #13,077 |
| 2019 | — | — | 10 | #7,925 |
| 2018 | — | — | 9 | #8,501 |
| 2017 | — | — | 8 | #9,283 |
| 2016 | — | — | 5 | #13,214 |
| 2015 | — | — | 9 | #8,382 |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | 7 | #10,259 |
| 2011 | — | — | 6 | #11,567 |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | 6 | #11,667 |
| 2006 | — | — | 5 | #13,028 |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | 5 | #12,301 |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | 6 | #14,007 | — | — |
| 1995 | 15 | #6,100 | 15 | #4,166 |
| 1990 | 17 | #5,393 | 19 | #3,241 |
| 1985 | 13 | #5,496 | 14 | #3,304 |
| 1980 | 9 | #7,053 | 23 | #2,245 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kao in 2025?
Kao ranked #9,304 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kao?
719 babies have been named Kao in the United States since 1980, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kao most popular?
Kao peaked in 1981, when 54 newborns received the name.
Is Kao a boy or girl name?
Kao is used for both: about 34% of babies named Kao have been girls and 66% boys.
Is the name Kao rising or falling?
Kao is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.