Kunio
A boy's name of Japanese origin with 91 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 5 letters and two syllables, Kunio hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1917, with 91 total recorded births.
Kunio is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Kunio is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Kunio is a boy's baby name of Japanese origin, written with kanji that can mean 'country man' or 'nation' combined with 'man' or 'hero.' It was a very common masculine name in early-to-mid 20th century Japan.
In gaming culture, Kunio is recognized from the classic Kunio-kun video game series. The name carries a strong, traditional Japanese masculine energy.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Kunio's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Kunio softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Kunio's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kunio has 13+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1917.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 7 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 61 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 18 | — |
The Story of Kunio
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1924, Kunio is a name steeped in history. Boys named Kunio are most likely born between 1917 and 1934.
How rare is Kunio?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kunio is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1917, peaked in the 1920s with 61 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Kunio by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(13 years, 1917–1940)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 5 | #3718 |
| 1931 | 7 | #3254 |
| 1929 | 6 | #3765 |
| 1927 | 7 | #3640 |
| 1925 | 9 | #3035 |
| 1924 | 10 | #2932 |
| 1923 | 9 | #3070 |
| 1922 | 6 | #4090 |
| 1921 | 7 | #3717 |
| 1920 | 7 | #3665 |
| 1919 | 5 | #4503 |
| 1918 | 7 | #3543 |
| 1917 | 6 | #3773 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kunio a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kunio most popular?
How popular is the name Kunio?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1917–1940