Knut

An uncommon Old Norse pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's nameOld NorseNot ranked recently Also a pet name
Rare name

Meaning & Origin

Alternative form of Cnut (“historical name”).

Knut is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, meaning 'knot' — symbolizing a strong bond or connection. It was borne by King Cnut (Canute) the Great, who ruled England, Denmark, and Norway in the 11th century, one of the most powerful monarchs of the Viking Age.

Compact and historically resonant, Knut has an austere Nordic strength. The famous Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen sailed with a crew that included a Knut — this name has genuinely been to the ends of the earth.

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Popularity Over Time

Knut has 10+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1916.

02579192019401960198020002013

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Knut
DecadeBirthsTrend
2010s7
1980s6
1960s16
1950s11
1940s5
1930s5
1920s5
1910s5

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(10 years, 19162013)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Knut
YearBirthsRank
20137#10259
19856#6194
19689#3001
19607#3508
19575#4287
19556#3706
19435#3808
19305#4296
19255#4592
19165#4229

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Knut has two lives

Knut, the baby name
Rareboys
60 babies
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Knut, the pet name
#6266pet name
10 pets
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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19162013) · Methodology