Koy
Name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from nature words in Thai.
Name Census estimates that about 944 living Americans carry the first name Koy. It is a predominantly male name (96.5% of registrations). The average person named Koy today is around 20 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Koy births was 1997 (46 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Koy. 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.
People living today
944
~ 1 in 363,087 Americans
Peak year
1997
46 babies that year
Average age
20
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,482
Tracked since 1970
Gender
Gender distribution for Koy
Koy leans heavily male at 96.5% of total registrations, but 34 girls have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Koy as a male name
- Ranked #3,482 in 2024
- 33 male births in 2024
- Peak: 1997 (46 births)
Koy as a female name
- Ranked #12,652 in 1993
- 6 female births in 1993
- Peak: 1982 (7 births)
Popularity
Koy: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Koy from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 274 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2000s peak, Koy remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Koy 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 Koy during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Koys live
The SSA's state-level files cover 7 states and territories. Texas, Utah, Louisiana recorded the most babies named Koy, while South Dakota, Idaho, Iowa recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 16 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Koy
The name Koy originates from the Thai language and has its roots in the ancient Khmer civilization. It is derived from the Old Khmer word "koi," which means "rich" or "wealthy." The name's earliest recorded use dates back to the 12th century CE during the Khmer Empire's reign in Southeast Asia.
In ancient Khmer texts, the name Koy was often associated with prosperity and abundance. It was commonly given to children born into affluent families or those who were expected to bring good fortune and wealth to their lineage. The name held significant cultural and spiritual significance in the region.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Koy was a revered Buddhist monk who lived in the 13th century CE. Known as Koy Sametra, he was renowned for his wisdom and teachings, which influenced the spiritual practices of the Khmer people.
In the 16th century, a prominent Khmer prince named Koy Ke ruled over a prosperous region in what is now modern-day Cambodia. His reign was marked by economic growth and cultural accomplishments, further solidifying the name's association with affluence and success.
Another notable figure bearing the name Koy was a celebrated Thai poet and author from the 19th century. Koy Krabuan was renowned for his literary works that portrayed the rich cultural tapestry of Thailand and its people.
In the realm of martial arts, Koy Detdongchen, a Thai boxer born in 1941, made a significant impact on the world of Muay Thai. He was a multiple-time champion and is considered one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport.
Throughout the centuries, the name Koy has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, from scholars and artists to warriors and leaders. Its rich historical legacy reflects the cultural significance and positive connotations associated with wealth, prosperity, and success.
People
Koy + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Koy 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
Koy: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Koy?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 944 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Koy 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 363,087 US residents.
Is Koy a common name?
We classify Koy as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 961 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Koy most popular?
The single biggest year for Koy was 1997, when 46 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Koy is about 20 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Koy a male name?
Yes, 96.5% of people registered as Koy 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.