Knowledge
Derived from ancient wisdom and often symbolizing a deep intellectual understanding.
Name Census estimates that about 2,317 living Americans carry the first name Knowledge. It is a predominantly male name (95.2% of registrations). The average person named Knowledge today is around 9 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Knowledge births was 2020 (218 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Knowledge. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Although Knowledge is used almost entirely for boys, the SSA data does show 113 girls registered with the name since 1880.
- • Knowledge is a relatively new arrival in the SSA data. The average bearer is just 9 years old, meaning it gained most of its traction in the last two decades.
People living today
2.3K
~ 1 in 147,930 Americans
Peak year
2020
218 babies that year
Average age
9
years old
2024 SSA rank
#1,141
Tracked since 1989
Gender
Gender distribution for Knowledge
Knowledge leans heavily male at 95.2% of total registrations, but 113 girls have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Knowledge as a male name
- Ranked #1,141 in 2024
- 184 male births in 2024
- Peak: 2020 (204 births)
Knowledge as a female name
- Ranked #9,900 in 2024
- 10 female births in 2024
- Peak: 2021 (18 births)
Popularity
Knowledge: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Knowledge from the 1980s through to the 2020s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 1,019 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Knowledge by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Knowledge during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Knowledges live
The SSA's state-level files cover 24 states and territories. Florida, North Carolina, Georgia recorded the most babies named Knowledge, while Kentucky, Kansas, New Jersey recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 55 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Knowledge
The given name Knowledge is a relatively modern invention, originating in the English language. It is not derived from any ancient words or languages, but rather is a direct translation of the noun "knowledge" into a proper name. The name likely first appeared in the late 20th century, possibly inspired by the increasing emphasis on education and intellectual pursuits during that time period.
While the name Knowledge does not have a long historical pedigree, it does carry a strong symbolic meaning. Knowledge, as a concept, has been highly valued throughout human history, celebrated in various philosophical and religious texts across cultures. In ancient Greek philosophy, the pursuit of knowledge was seen as a noble and virtuous endeavor, exemplified by the teachings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the Book of Proverbs in the Bible extols the virtues of wisdom and knowledge, with verses such as "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7). Similarly, the Quran, the central religious text of Islam, encourages believers to seek knowledge and understanding.
Due to its relatively recent emergence, there are few historical figures who bore the name Knowledge. However, a handful of individuals have adopted it in modern times, perhaps as a way to express their commitment to learning and intellectual growth.
One notable person named Knowledge is Knowledge Musona, a Zimbabwean professional footballer born in 1990. Musona has played for several clubs in Europe and Africa, as well as the Zimbabwean national team. The choice of his unusual first name may reflect a desire to embody the pursuit of knowledge both on and off the field.
Another individual named Knowledge is Knowledge Bennet, a South African actress and model. Bennet has appeared in various television shows and films, and her unique name has likely contributed to her memorable presence in the entertainment industry.
While there are few historical figures with the name Knowledge, it remains a striking and meaningful choice for parents seeking to instill a love of learning and intellectual curiosity in their children. As a relatively new name, its future evolution and potential for wider adoption remain to be seen.
People
Knowledge + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Knowledge as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Knowledge: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Knowledge?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2,317 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Knowledge going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 147,930 US residents.
Is Knowledge a common name?
We classify Knowledge as "Rare". It ranks above 94.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,335 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Knowledge most popular?
The single biggest year for Knowledge was 2020, when 218 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Knowledge is about 9 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Knowledge in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Knowledge a male name?
Yes, 95.2% of people registered as Knowledge in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Knowledge still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Knowledge in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Knowledge can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are named Knowledge?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.