Kong Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Kong originates from the Chinese surname 孔, associated with the philosopher Confucius. Its meaning relates to 'hole' or 'opening'. The name has evolved from Classical to Modern Standard Chinese, maintaining its significance. It is closely linked to traits of wisdom and scholarship, with no biblical relevance.
The name Kong is most popular in Minnesota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Kong has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Kong' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7168th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1703rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5960th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Kong' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Kong"
Pronunciation
/kɔŋ/
Origin
Chinese
Etymology
The name 'Kong' is derived from the Chinese surname 孔 (Kǒng), which is associated with the philosopher Confucius, whose family name is Kong.
Meaning
hole; opening
Language Evolution
孔 (Kǒng) in Classical Chinese, 孔 (Kǒng) in Modern Standard Chinese
Historical Usage
The name Kong gained popularity due to the influence of Confucius during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history, and it has remained a respected surname in Chinese culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Kongzi (孔子) - meaning 'Master Kong', referring to Confucius, K'ung (alternative Romanization)
Modern Popularity & Image
Kong is seen as a traditional and respected surname in Chinese culture, often associated with wisdom and scholarly achievement due to its connection with Confucius.
Famous People
Confucius (Kong Fuzi), Kong Linghui (Chinese table tennis player), Kong Wei (Chinese actor)
Explore More Kong Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Kong"
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 "Kong"
"Kong" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7168th of 10718 | 25 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1703rd of 16616 | 709 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5960th of 24088 | 201 |
Regional Popularity of "Kong" 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) |
22.42% 826th/3685 |
- | - |
15.26% 964th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
40.57% 1859th/4582 |
- | - |
38.84% 2899th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Kong" 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 "Kong"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Kong" 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.