Find out how popular the first name Ku has been for the last 33 years (from 1986 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ku by gender

Based on the last 33 years of data, Ku is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 85% of people named Ku being male.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ku.

The history of the first name Ku

The name Ku has its origins in ancient Sumerian culture, one of the earliest civilizations in Mesopotamia, which arose around 4500 BCE in modern-day Iraq. It is derived from the Sumerian word "ku," meaning "bright" or "shining." This could suggest that the name was originally associated with the sun or celestial bodies.

In Sumerian mythology, Ku was the name of a minor deity associated with the underworld and the afterlife. References to this deity can be found in cuneiform inscriptions and clay tablets dating back to the third millennium BCE. However, it is unclear whether the name was used as a personal name during this time period.

The earliest recorded use of Ku as a personal name dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was sometimes used as a prefix or component of longer names. For example, the name Kufu, better known as Cheops, was the name of the pharaoh who commissioned the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza around 2580 BCE.

In ancient Chinese history, Ku was the name of a legendary figure known as the Emperor Ku, who was said to have ruled during the mythical period of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors around the 27th century BCE. According to legend, he invented clothes, boats, and other essential tools for civilization.

Another notable historical figure with the name Ku was Ku Yen-wu, a Chinese philosopher and writer who lived during the 16th and 17th centuries (1613-1682). He was a prominent figure in the Neo-Confucian movement and wrote extensively on topics such as ethics, literature, and history.

In Japan, the name Ku has been used as a given name, although its origins and meaning are unclear. One notable individual with this name was Ku Hung-ming (1857-1928), a Chinese scholar and writer who played a significant role in introducing Western philosophy and literature to Japan during the Meiji period.

Another historical figure with the name Ku was Ku Klux, a Native American leader of the Choctaw tribe in the early 19th century. He was known for his resistance against the forced relocation of his people during the Trail of Tears in the 1830s.

It is worth noting that while the name Ku has been used throughout history in various cultures, its usage as a given name has been relatively uncommon compared to other names. Nevertheless, its origins in ancient Sumerian and Egyptian civilizations, as well as its appearance in Chinese and Japanese history, make it a name with a rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ku was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ku, please contact us.

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