Kushal
Borrowed from Sanskrit कुशल (kuśala, “skillful, proficient, adept”).
Every Kushal since 1988 — 523 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kushal
Kushal is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,452 in 2025 with 11 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1988, 523 American babies have been named Kushal. Its peak came in 2004, when 24 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 Kushal stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kushal year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | #7,452 |
| 2024 | 16 | #5,794 |
| 2023 | 6 | #11,654 |
| 2022 | 11 | #7,537 |
| 2021 | 12 | #6,924 |
| 2020 | 21 | #4,633 |
| 2019 | 13 | #6,629 |
| 2018 | 16 | #5,678 |
| 2017 | 23 | #4,406 |
| 2016 | 15 | #5,941 |
| 2015 | 21 | #4,636 |
| 2014 | 17 | #5,388 |
| 2013 | 23 | #4,261 |
| 2012 | 23 | #4,330 |
| 2011 | 12 | #6,838 |
| 2010 | 13 | #6,572 |
| 2009 | 19 | #5,036 |
| 2008 | 13 | #6,624 |
| 2007 | 21 | #4,586 |
| 2006 | 20 | #4,614 |
| 2005 | 16 | #5,173 |
| 2004 | 24 | #3,812 |
| 2003 | 18 | #4,539 |
| 2002 | 14 | #5,285 |
| 2001 | 12 | #5,882 |
| 2000 | 12 | #5,761 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7,444 |
| 1990 | 9 | #5,624 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kushal mean?
Borrowed from Sanskrit कुशल (kuśala, “skillful, proficient, adept”).
How popular is the name Kushal in 2025?
Kushal ranked #7,452 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 Kushal?
523 babies have been named Kushal in the United States since 1988, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kushal most popular?
Kushal peaked in 2004, when 24 newborns received the name.
Is Kushal a boy or girl name?
Kushal is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kushal rising or falling?
Kushal is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.