Kuntakinte
A boy's name of African origin with 6 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Kuntakinte sits in the vintage zone of American naming: first recorded in 1977, peaking in 1977, with 6 total births across its history.
The open, approachable quality of its ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression — gives it a distinctive rhythm that pairs well with shorter middle names or surnames.
Kuntakinte is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Kuntakinte is a boy's baby name of African origin, made famous as the name of the protagonist in Alex Haley's landmark 1976 novel and television miniseries Roots: The Saga of an American Family. Kunta Kinte was a Mandinka warrior from The Gambia whose story traced the African American experience from slavery to freedom.
As a given name, Kuntakinte is extraordinarily rare in U.S. records. Choosing it is an act of profound cultural memory — a declaration of ancestry, pride, and the unbreakable connection to African heritage.
EtymologyShow more
Kuntakinte appeared in SSA records in 1977, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its African roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 6 recorded births, Kuntakinte has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kuntakinte has 1+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1977.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 | — |
The Story of Kuntakinte
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1977, Kuntakinte is a Gen X staple. Boys named Kuntakinte are most likely born between 1977 and 1977.
How rare is Kuntakinte?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kuntakinte is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1977, peaked in the 1970s with 6 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(1 years, 1977–1977)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 6 | #5526 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kuntakinte a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kuntakinte most popular?
How popular is the name Kuntakinte?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1977–1977