Kunal Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Kunal is a name of Sanskrit origin meaning 'son' or 'prince'. It has evolved through historical forms in Sanskrit and Prakrit to modern Hindi. The name is associated with leadership and cultural significance, with no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 20th century and remains a modern choice for boys in India.
The name Kunal is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the Northeast 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, Kunal 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, 'Kunal' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8553rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1769th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3188th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10183rd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Kunal' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Kunal"
Pronunciation
/kuːˈnɑːl/
Origin
Sanskrit
Etymology
The name Kunal is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Kuna' which means 'son' or 'prince'. In Hindu mythology, Kunal is known as the son of Emperor Ashoka.
Meaning
son, prince
Language Evolution
Sanskrit: कुणाल (Kunal), Prakrit: कुणाल (Kunal), Modern Hindi: कुणाल (Kunal)
Historical Usage
The name Kunal gained popularity in India during the 20th century, largely due to its association with historical figures and cultural references in literature and film.
Variants & Derivatives
Kunal, Kunall, Koonal
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Kunal is seen as a modern and popular name in India, often associated with intelligence, leadership, and cultural significance.
Famous People
Kunal Nayyar - Indian-American actor known for his role in 'The Big Bang Theory'., Kunal Kapoor - Indian actor and producer., Kunal Khemu - Indian actor known for his roles in various Bollywood films.
Explore More Kunal Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Kunal"
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 "Kunal"
"Kunal" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8553rd of 10718 | 14 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1769th of 16616 | 665 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3188th of 24088 | 502 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 10183rd of 23106 | 72 |
Regional Popularity of "Kunal" 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) |
41.17% 1517th/3685 |
22.59% 1011th/4475 |
51.44% 2672nd/5194 |
25.12% 1587th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
37.90% 1957th/5164 |
57.95% 4238th/7313 |
27.40% 2045th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Kunal" 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 "Kunal"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Kunal" 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.