Total births
227
Unisex name · since 1971
Kwanza
Since 1971, U.S. Social Security records show 227 babies named Kwanza, peaking in 1978. See the year-by-year trend, decade totals, and state rankings below, sourced from federal birth data.
- 227
- total births
- 1971–1999
- years on record
- 1970s
- peak decade
- 53%
- born in that decade
227 girls have been named Kwanza since 1971, though it isn't currently a top-ranked name.
According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Kwanza has been recorded 227 times among girls since 1971, though it is not among the currently most-used girls names, with its heaviest use in the 1970s. This profile covers year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution, all derived directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1971 to 1999.
- 227 total births
- 1971–1999 years on record
- 1970s peak decade
- 53% born in that decade
Data updated Jul 2026
The verdict
227 girls have been named Kwanza since 1971, peaking in the 1970s, last recorded in 1999.
- 227
- total births
- 1971–1999
- years on record
- 1970s
- peak decade
- 53%
- born in that decade
1970s
Peak decade
53% of everyone ever named Kwanza was born in this single decade.
1978
Single peak year
29 babies were named Kwanza in 1978 - its busiest year on record.
Kwanza's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Divide Kwanza's SSA record in two at 1982 and the more recent half accounts for 34% of all births, the earlier half the remaining 66%, consistent with a name more common in the past than in recent years. Its calmest year was 1971, with only 5 births recorded -- set against the 1978 peak of 29, that's the full swing in one name's fortunes.
Kwanza at a glance
Last recorded 1999Peak year
1978
Current rank
Unranked
Active since
1971
Kwanza popularity over time - girls
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1971–1999
- Peak year (1978)
- 29
- Annual births at peak, across 29 years of records
Kwanza popularity over time - boys
42 total births recorded since 1972 (Kwanza as boys' name)
Kwanza by decade
Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance
1970s was Kwanza's strongest decade.
121 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 53% of all-time use.
Kwanza births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1970s
1970s
121 births
- 1980s
1980s
60 births
- 1990s 46
1990s
46 births
What this shows Peak: 1970s at 121 births (53% of all-time use).
Kwanza by state
Where Kwanza concentrates geographically, total births since 1971
| Rank | State | Visual share | Births | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Louisiana | | 10 | 4.4% |
Louisiana share of Kwanza's total US births 4.4%
10 of 227 births nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Kwanza? ▼
Kwanza has been given to 227 babies in the U.S. since 1971, according to SSA data. Its last appearance in the data was 1999. 29 babies were born in 1978, its single highest year.
When was Kwanza most popular? ▼
Kwanza was most popular in the 1970s decade with 121 total births. The single peak year was 1978.
Where is Kwanza most popular? ▼
The top states for the name Kwanza are Louisiana (10 births).
Is Kwanza a unisex name? ▼
Yes, Kwanza is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name it has 227 births, and as a boy's name it has 42 births.
How long has the name Kwanza been used? ▼
The SSA has tracked Kwanza since 1971 -- 29 years through the most recent 1999 data.
What names are similar to Kwanza? ▼
Names with a similar sound or spelling include Kwana, Kwanisha, Kwame, Kwanita, and 4 more. These share a common prefix and are also used for girls.
What to do with Kwanza's data
- Kwanza's usage has stayed within range of its 1970s decade-level peak (121 total births) through the 1990s (46) -- a comparatively stable name, not a fading trend.
- Louisiana records the most Kwanzas (10 births) -- see the full state breakdown if geography matters to your decision. Louisiana names
- Weighing it against an alternative? Put two names side by side. Compare names
Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.
Keep exploring Kwanza
Nearby Names Like Kwanza
Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Kwanza
Kwana Girl
157 births
Kwanisha Girl
41 births
Kwame Girl
38 births
Kwanita Girl
38 births
Kwanzaa Girl
34 births
Compare Kwanza side by side: Kwanza vs Kwana Kwanza vs Kwanisha Kwanza vs Kwame
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Data Sources
Data as of July 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.
Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1971–1999 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Cite this page
NameAlmanac Editorial. "Kwanza: Baby Name Since 1971 - 227 Births, Peak 1978." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/kwanza. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Kwanza draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.