Kwame
An ancient and traditional Akan day-name meaning "born on Saturday".
Every Kwame since 1960 — 3,993 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kwame
Kwame is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,962 in 2025 with 42 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1960, 3,993 American babies have been named Kwame. Its peak came in 1990, when 307 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 Kwame stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kwame 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 | — | — | 42 | #2,962 |
| 2024 | — | — | 36 | #3,309 |
| 2023 | — | — | 38 | #3,202 |
| 2022 | — | — | 51 | #2,637 |
| 2021 | — | — | 48 | #2,678 |
| 2020 | — | — | 52 | #2,491 |
| 2019 | — | — | 49 | #2,646 |
| 2018 | — | — | 40 | #2,976 |
| 2017 | — | — | 43 | #2,827 |
| 2016 | — | — | 51 | #2,499 |
| 2015 | — | — | 36 | #3,194 |
| 2014 | — | — | 39 | #2,960 |
| 2013 | — | — | 48 | #2,552 |
| 2012 | — | — | 52 | #2,433 |
| 2011 | — | — | 56 | #2,302 |
| 2010 | — | — | 47 | #2,611 |
| 2009 | — | — | 40 | #2,973 |
| 2008 | — | — | 65 | #2,110 |
| 2007 | — | — | 40 | #2,956 |
| 2006 | — | — | 47 | #2,562 |
| 2005 | — | — | 57 | #2,153 |
| 2004 | — | — | 62 | #1,966 |
| 2003 | — | — | 50 | #2,191 |
| 2002 | — | — | 84 | #1,503 |
| 2001 | — | — | 79 | #1,535 |
| 2000 | — | — | 54 | #1,936 |
| 1995 | — | — | 86 | #1,262 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9,733 | 299 | #583 |
| 1985 | — | — | 38 | #1,658 |
| 1980 | — | — | 60 | #1,183 |
| 1975 | — | — | 64 | #1,035 |
| 1970 | — | — | 44 | #1,257 |
| 1965 | — | — | 13 | #2,322 |
| 1960 | — | — | 6 | #3,870 |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Kwame
- Kwame Nkrumah Politician · 1909–1972
- Kwame Anthony Appiah Philosopher · b. 1954
- Kwame Brown Basketball player · b. 1982
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kwame mean?
An ancient and traditional Akan day-name meaning "born on Saturday".
How popular is the name Kwame in 2025?
Kwame ranked #2,962 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 42 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kwame?
3,993 babies have been named Kwame in the United States since 1960, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kwame most popular?
Kwame peaked in 1990, when 307 newborns received the name.
Is Kwame a boy or girl name?
Kwame is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kwame rising or falling?
Kwame has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Kwame?
Well-known people named Kwame include Kwame Nkrumah (politician), Kwame Anthony Appiah (philosopher), Kwame Brown (basketball player).