How Many People Are Named Kjell?
Complete statistics for the name Kjell: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Kjell is a Scandinavian name meaning "kettle" or "helmet," rooted in Old Norse tradition. There are roughly 331 people living in the US with this name today, making it about 1 in 996,448 Americans. It's been slowly declining since its peak in 1971, when 15 babies received the name.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 5 traditionally represents freedom, adventure, and adaptability. It's associated with people who crave variety and aren't afraid to embrace change in pursuit of new experiences.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 43All 359 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1971Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Kjell Through the Generations
Kjell hasn't ever been a mainstream American name, but it's carved out a quiet presence over the decades. With only 359 total births recorded in US history, it's a true rarity on this side of the Atlantic. The name hit its high point in 1971 with 15 births, and that era's influence still shows in the data today. A full 76% of people named Kjell are between 30 and 60 years old, giving the name an average bearer age of 43. Only 17% are under 30, which tells us it's not picking up much steam with new parents. Just 7% are over 60, so it didn't really appear in the US until the mid-20th century. Globally, it's a different story entirely, ranking #10,075 worldwide with 101,167 living bearers, most of them in Sweden. That contrast makes it clear Kjell remains firmly tied to its Scandinavian roots, and it's unlikely to see a major American revival anytime soon.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
✨ Similar Names to Kjell
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Kjell's Old Norse roots
📄 About the Name Kjell
How Many People Have the Name Kjell?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 331 people in the United States currently share the name Kjell. That works out to roughly 1 in every 996,448 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Kjell a Common or Rare Name?
Kjell is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Kjell Mean?
Kjell means "Helmet or cauldron" and comes from Old Norse origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Kjell in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Kjell Most Popular?
The name Kjell reached peak popularity in 1971, with 15 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Kjell?
Approximately 331 people named Kjell live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 359. That works out to roughly 1 in 996,448 Americans.
Is Kjell a rare name?
Kjell is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 996,448 Americans has this name.
What does the name Kjell mean?
Kjell means "Helmet or cauldron" and comes from Old Norse origins.
Is Kjell more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Kjell are male and 0% are female.
When was Kjell most popular?
Kjell peaked in 1971 with 15 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.