How Many People Are Named Knox?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Knox

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 4,821 living people in the United States currently have the first name Knox. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 5,288 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #531 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~4,821CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)5,288Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#531U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2016 (172 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~4,821
Historical Births (SSA)
5,288
All-Time Rank
#531
Historical Peak
2016

Key Insights for Knox

Estimated Living Bearers
~4,821 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#531
Distinctive First Name
Historical Peak Year
2016
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
96.1% Male · 3.9% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~603 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Knox

Living Population Model
~4,821

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
5,288

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,023

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
16.3 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2016

Highest annual total: 172 registrations in 2016.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-2%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Knox has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Knox (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2016 (~172 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
20101671598
20111691618
20121711629
20131711629
20141711629
20151711629
20161721639
20171711629
20181711629
20191711629
20201711629
20211691618
20221671598
20231661588
20241641568

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
3/100
1950s
3/100
1960s
4/100
1970s
6/100
1980s
12/100
1990s
23/100
2000s
90/100
2010s
98/100
2020s
48/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Knox is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (96.1% male births).

Male: 96.1% (~5,081 births)Female: 3.9% (~207 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Knox

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Knox in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Knox appeared 3,023 times, ranking #309 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,023 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#309
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Knox Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~603 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~60312.5%
Texas (TX)~4449.2%
Florida (FL)~3286.8%
New York (NY)~2946.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1934%
Illinois (IL)~1883.9%
Ohio (OH)~1743.6%
Georgia (GA)~1593.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 4,821 people named Knox are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 16.3 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Knox: 16.3 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Knox

How many people in the U.S. are named Knox?

Approximately 4,821 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Knox. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 5,288 birth applications for Knox between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Knox?

Knox ranks #531 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This positions Knox as a distinctive name with established historical recognition.

When was the name Knox most popular in America?

The name Knox reached its peak historical popularity in 2016, when 172 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Knox?

Knox has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Knox?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Knox is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (96.1% male births).

Where is the name Knox most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Knox resides in California, with approximately 603 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Knox in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Knox appeared 3,023 times in census returns, ranking #309 in official 2020 returns.

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