Kweli
Primarily a boy's name of Swahili origin with 228 recorded births. Also given to 11 girls.
Meaning & Origin
truth; truthfulness
Kweli is a boy's and girl's baby name of Swahili origin meaning "truth" or "truthfulness," one of the most profound virtues in East African moral philosophy. The name reflects the Ubuntu tradition's emphasis on honesty and integrity as foundations of community life.
Kweli gained some cultural visibility through hip-hop artist Talib Kweli, whose name in full means "seeker of truth." As a given name, Kweli carries a weight of moral aspiration — a parent's wish for a child who moves through the world with clarity and integrity.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Kweli is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (2000–2023). Its Swahili roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 228 total births, Kweli exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kweli has 20+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2000.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 12 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 67 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 149 | — |
The Story of Kweli
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2003, Kweli is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Kweli are most likely born between 2000 and 2013.
How rare is Kweli?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kweli is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2000, peaked in the 2000s with 149 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Kweli by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(20 years, 2000–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | #13317 |
| 2020 | 7 | #10152 |
| 2018 | 6 | #11563 |
| 2016 | 12 | #6958 |
| 2015 | 10 | #7809 |
| 2014 | 6 | #11525 |
| 2013 | 6 | #11553 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11632 |
| 2011 | 9 | #8479 |
| 2010 | 12 | #6923 |
| 2009 | 12 | #7058 |
| 2008 | 7 | #10554 |
| 2007 | 11 | #7393 |
| 2006 | 14 | #5968 |
| 2005 | 13 | #6070 |
| 2004 | 16 | #5144 |
| 2003 | 34 | #2894 |
| 2002 | 12 | #5923 |
| 2001 | 25 | #3468 |
| 2000 | 5 | #11418 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Kweli as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Kweli has also been given to 11 girls in the U.S. since 1974.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kweli a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kweli most popular?
How popular is the name Kweli?
Can Kweli be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2000–2023