Kunal
Borrowed from Sanskrit कुणाल (kuṇāla).
Every Kunal since 1977 — 1,259 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kunal
Kunal is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,430 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1977, 1,259 American babies have been named Kunal. Its peak came in 1994, when 60 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Kunal stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kunal year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | #11,430 |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 6 | #11,682 |
| 2021 | 5 | #13,244 |
| 2020 | 7 | #10,154 |
| 2019 | 5 | #13,260 |
| 2018 | 8 | #9,285 |
| 2017 | 6 | #11,571 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11,553 |
| 2015 | 10 | #7,808 |
| 2014 | 11 | #7,335 |
| 2013 | 8 | #9,291 |
| 2012 | 15 | #5,873 |
| 2011 | 14 | #6,124 |
| 2010 | 9 | #8,504 |
| 2009 | 30 | #3,603 |
| 2008 | 17 | #5,389 |
| 2007 | 19 | #4,913 |
| 2006 | 28 | #3,653 |
| 2005 | 30 | #3,355 |
| 2004 | 37 | #2,823 |
| 2003 | 34 | #2,893 |
| 2002 | 37 | #2,620 |
| 2001 | 43 | #2,327 |
| 2000 | 49 | #2,074 |
| 1995 | 31 | #2,475 |
| 1990 | 38 | #1,998 |
| 1985 | 43 | #1,536 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Kunal
- Kunal Nayyar Actor · b. 1981
- Kunal Kapoor Actor · b. 1977
- Kunal Ganjawala Singer · b. 1972
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kunal mean?
Borrowed from Sanskrit कुणाल (kuṇāla).
How popular is the name Kunal in 2025?
Kunal ranked #11,430 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kunal?
1,259 babies have been named Kunal in the United States since 1977, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kunal most popular?
Kunal peaked in 1994, when 60 newborns received the name.
Is Kunal a boy or girl name?
Kunal is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kunal rising or falling?
Kunal is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Kunal?
Well-known people named Kunal include Kunal Nayyar (actor), Kunal Kapoor (actor), Kunal Ganjawala (singer).