Ka
Primarily a girl's name of Egyptian origin with 781 recorded births. Also given to 136 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A spiritual part of the soul in Egyptian mythology, which survived after death.
Ka is a girl's and boy's baby name of Egyptian origin, from the ancient Egyptian concept of the Ka — the spiritual double or vital essence of a person, one of the five parts of the soul in Egyptian religious belief. The Ka was thought to survive death and require nourishment through offerings left in tombs.
Ka's use as a given name draws directly on this profound Egyptian spiritual concept — to be named Ka is to be named for the vital, eternal spirit within. It is also a common syllable in Vietnamese feminine names, where it carries different but equally meaningful associations.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Ka belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, warm ending — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.
Within the Egyptian naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Egyptian names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Ka’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ka has 28+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1962.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 35 | #11250 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 375 | #3601 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 344 | #2961 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 22 | #7967 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 5 | #7006 | — |
The Story of Ka
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Ka is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Ka are most likely born between 1980 and 2000.
How rare is Ka?
With 781 total births on record, Ka remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1962, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 375 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Ka by the numbers
- Would fill 16 school buses
- Meeting one Ka per day would take 2.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(28 years, 1962–2004)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 6 | #15016 |
| 2002 | 9 | #10626 |
| 2001 | 9 | #10511 |
| 2000 | 11 | #8848 |
| 1999 | 19 | #5528 |
| 1998 | 21 | #5033 |
| 1997 | 18 | #5504 |
| 1996 | 24 | #4376 |
| 1995 | 37 | #3121 |
| 1994 | 47 | #2642 |
| 1993 | 45 | #2694 |
| 1992 | 49 | #2558 |
| 1991 | 50 | #2494 |
| 1990 | 65 | #2060 |
| 1989 | 53 | #2260 |
| 1988 | 37 | #2823 |
| 1987 | 34 | #2875 |
| 1986 | 39 | #2536 |
| 1985 | 32 | #2891 |
| 1984 | 34 | #2700 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Ka as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Ka has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 136 births since 1976.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ka a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ka most popular?
How popular is the name Ka?
Can Ka be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1962–2004