Kanye Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Kanye originates from Yoruba, meaning 'the only one'. It has evolved from its West African roots and is now widely recognized in popular culture. The name reflects traits of uniqueness and individuality, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained significant popularity in the 21st century, largely due to Kanye West's influence.
The name Kanye is most popular in Delaware, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Kanye has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Kanye' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1747th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5535th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 23797th out of 35406 names. Discover how the name 'Kanye' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Kanye"
Pronunciation
/ˈkɑːnjeɪ/
Origin
West African (specifically Yoruba)
Etymology
The name Kanye means 'the only one' in Yoruba, reflecting uniqueness and individuality.
Meaning
the only one
Language Evolution
Yoruba
Historical Usage
The name Kanye gained popularity in the early 21st century, particularly due to the fame of musician Kanye West.
Variants & Derivatives
Kany, Kanyé
Modern Popularity & Image
Kanye is currently associated with creativity, innovation, and controversy, largely due to the public persona of Kanye West.
Famous People
Kanye West, Kanye Omari West
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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Kanye"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Kanye"
"Kanye" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1747th of 24088 | 1,202 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5535th of 23106 | 197 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 23797th of 35406 | 24 |
Regional Popularity of "Kanye" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
28.83% 1321st/4582 |
27.32% 1411th/5164 |
19.01% 1390th/7313 |
36.42% 2718th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
63.97% 4364th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Kanye" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Kanye"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Kanye" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.