Irakoze
An African name meaning "Thank God" or "Be grateful".
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Irakoze. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Irakoze today is around 4 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Irakoze births was 2022 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Irakoze. 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
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Irakoze. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2022
5 babies that year
Average age
4
years old
2022 SSA rank
#13,084
Tracked since 2022
Popularity
Irakoze: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Irakoze 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 Irakoze during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Irakoze
The name Irakoze originates from the Kinyarwanda language, spoken primarily in Rwanda. It is a compound word derived from the verb "gurakoza," meaning "to be grateful," and the prefix "ira-," which signifies a state or quality. Thus, the name Irakoze can be translated as "gratitude" or "thankfulness."
The Kinyarwanda language has its roots in the Bantu language family, which is widely spoken across a significant portion of sub-Saharan Africa. The name Irakoze is believed to have emerged within the cultural traditions of the Rwandan people, possibly as early as the 16th century, when the Kingdom of Rwanda was established.
While there are no documented references to the name Irakoze in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its meaning and significance are deeply rooted in the cultural values of the Rwandan people. Gratitude and thankfulness have long been regarded as virtues within Rwandan society, and the name Irakoze reflects this appreciation for blessings and positive life experiences.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Irakoze was Irakoze Nzamuye, a renowned poet and storyteller who lived in the late 18th century. Nzamuye's works celebrated the rich oral traditions of Rwanda and played a significant role in preserving the country's cultural heritage.
Another notable figure with the name Irakoze was Irakoze Mukamusoni, a prominent female leader and activist in the late 19th century. Mukamusoni was instrumental in advocating for women's rights and promoting education within her community, earning her widespread respect and admiration.
In more recent times, Irakoze Ndayambaje (1942-2012) was a celebrated Rwandan musician and composer. His songs, which often incorporated traditional Rwandan rhythms and instrumentation, helped to preserve and promote the country's musical heritage.
Irakoze Nkusi (1958-2018) was a renowned Rwandan painter and visual artist. His vibrant and expressive works depicted various aspects of Rwandan life and culture, earning him international recognition and numerous awards.
Irakoze Kagabo (born 1975) is a contemporary Rwandan author and playwright. Her works often explore themes of identity, resilience, and the complexities of modern Rwandan society, shedding light on the country's rich cultural tapestry.
While the name Irakoze has its origins in Rwanda, it has gained recognition and appreciation beyond the country's borders, serving as a reminder of the importance of gratitude and thankfulness in various cultures around the world.
People
Irakoze + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Irakoze as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with I
Other first names starting with I with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Irakoze: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Irakoze?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Irakoze 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 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Irakoze a common name?
We classify Irakoze as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Irakoze most popular?
The single biggest year for Irakoze was 2022, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Irakoze is about 4 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 Irakoze in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Irakoze a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Irakoze 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 Irakoze still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Irakoze 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 Irakoze 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 Americans are named Irakoze?
Want to know how many people share the name Irakoze? HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, puts the living-bearer count front and centre.