Kweku
A boy's name of African origin with 81 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Only 81 babies have been named Kweku in recorded U.S. history. That level of rarity means your child would almost certainly be the only one in their school, their workplace, and most rooms they walk into — a genuinely one-of-a-kind choice.
Kweku is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Kweku is a boy's baby name of African origin, from the Akan naming tradition of Ghana. Kweku is the Akan day name for a boy born on Wednesday, derived from the Akan Kweku or Kwame system where each day of the week has a corresponding name.
The Akan day-name system is one of the most beautiful traditions in West African culture — a child's name is a statement of when they arrived in the world. Kweku connects its bearer to a millennium-old Ghanaian naming tradition of deep cultural meaning.
EtymologyShow more
Kweku first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1987. First appearing in the 1980s, Kweku emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its African classification suggests a path from african linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kweku has 14+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1987.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 22 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 44 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 10 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 5 | — |
The Story of Kweku
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2002, Kweku is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Kweku are most likely born between 1992 and 2012.
How rare is Kweku?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kweku is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1987, peaked in the 2000s with 44 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Kweku by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(14 years, 1987–2019)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7 | #10358 |
| 2018 | 5 | #13294 |
| 2013 | 5 | #13231 |
| 2010 | 5 | #13432 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9513 |
| 2008 | 6 | #11930 |
| 2007 | 5 | #13531 |
| 2005 | 7 | #9698 |
| 2002 | 8 | #8118 |
| 2001 | 5 | #11593 |
| 2000 | 5 | #11417 |
| 1994 | 5 | #9647 |
| 1993 | 5 | #9547 |
| 1987 | 5 | #7625 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kweku a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kweku most popular?
How popular is the name Kweku?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1987–2019