Kanye
Kanye: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkɑnjeɪ/ · /ˈkænjeɪ/
Meaning and origin of Kanye
- A male given name.
Etymology
Evidently from Igbo Kanye, although inspiration from other African languages may have contributed. The verb is a reference to Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift’s speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
How popular is Kanye?
Since 1880, 24 girls and 1,404 boys in the U.S. have been named Kanye (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #6357 in 2004. Its highest rank for boys was #486 in 2004. In 2025, 5 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Kanye
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Kanye
Names that peaked around the same time as Kanye and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Kanye FAQ
What does the name Kanye mean?
A male given name. Evidently from Igbo Kanye, although inspiration from other African languages may have contributed. The verb is a reference to Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift’s speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
How popular is the name Kanye?
Since 1880, 24 girls and 1,404 boys in the U.S. have been named Kanye (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #6357 in 2004. Its highest rank for boys was #486 in 2004. In 2025, 5 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Kanye a boy or girl name?
Kanye is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 24 girls and 1,404 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.