Koua
An Ivorian name derived from Baoule meaning "born on Monday".
Name Census estimates that about 61 living Americans carry the first name Koua. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Koua today is around 35 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Koua births was 1994 (11 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Koua. 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 Koua. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
61
~ 1 in 5,618,924 Americans
Peak year
1994
11 babies that year
Average age
35
years old
1996 SSA rank
#9,869
Tracked since 1983
Popularity
Koua: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Koua from the 1980s through to the 1990s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 42 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
Koua 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 Koua during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Kouas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Koua
The given name Koua has its roots in the Lao and Thai languages, originating in Southeast Asia. It is a traditional name that has been in use for centuries.
In the Lao language, Koua is derived from the word "khua," which means "prosperous" or "wealthy." The name carries connotations of abundance, good fortune, and prosperity. It was a popular choice among families who aspired for their children to lead successful and prosperous lives.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Koua can be traced back to ancient Lao and Thai historical texts and records, dating back to the 13th century. These texts often documented the names of prominent individuals, suggesting that the name was well-established and held significance within these cultures.
Historically, the name Koua has been associated with various notable figures throughout the region. One of the earliest recorded examples is Koua Souligna, a renowned Lao poet and scholar who lived in the 16th century. His works and literary contributions played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of Laos.
Another prominent figure bearing the name Koua was Koua Koun, a revered Buddhist monk and teacher who lived in the 18th century. He was renowned for his wisdom and teachings, which influenced generations of Lao and Thai Buddhists.
In the 19th century, Koua Bandith emerged as a respected military leader and strategist during the Lao wars against Siamese (Thai) invasions. His tactical skills and leadership were instrumental in defending the Lao Kingdom and securing its independence.
Moving into the 20th century, Koua Souphanouvong was a prominent figure in the Lao independence movement and later became the first President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (1975-1986). His political legacy and influence on the nation's history cannot be understated.
Another noteworthy individual with the name Koua was Koua Vang, a respected Hmong leader and advocate who played a crucial role in the resettlement of Hmong refugees in the United States after the Vietnam War. His efforts to preserve Hmong culture and traditions have left a lasting impact on the Hmong-American community.
People
Koua + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Koua 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
Koua: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Koua?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 61 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Koua 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 5,618,924 US residents.
Is Koua a common name?
We classify Koua as "Very Rare". It ranks above 57.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 63 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Koua most popular?
The single biggest year for Koua was 1994, when 11 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Koua is about 35 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Koua a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Koua 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.
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.