Nkauj
A feminine Hmong name meaning "flower, blossom".
Name Census estimates that about 13 living Americans carry the first name Nkauj. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Nkauj today is around 38 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Nkauj births was 1985 (8 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Nkauj. 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 Nkauj. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
13
~ 1 in 26,365,718 Americans
Peak year
1985
8 babies that year
Average age
38
years old
1995 SSA rank
#12,899
Tracked since 1985
Popularity
Nkauj: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Nkauj from the 1980s through to the 1990s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 8 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1980s peak, Nkauj remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nkauj 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 Nkauj during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Nkauj
The name Nkauj is of Hmong origin, traced back to the ethnic Hmong people who have inhabited the mountainous regions of southern China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand for centuries. Its linguistic roots lie in the Hmong-Mien language family.
In Hmong culture, names often carry deep symbolic meanings, and Nkauj is no exception. The name is believed to be derived from the Hmong word "nkauj," which translates to "bamboo shoot," a plant revered for its resilience, strength, and ability to adapt to challenging environments.
The earliest known historical references to the name Nkauj can be found in ancient Hmong folklore and oral traditions, where it was often used as a symbolic representation of perseverance and growth in the face of adversity.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Nkauj was Nkauj Tswb, a renowned Hmong warrior and leader from the 16th century. Nkauj Tswb was known for his bravery and strategic prowess, leading his people through numerous conflicts and migrations across Southeast Asia.
In the 18th century, Nkauj Xyoob gained prominence as a skilled artisan and weaver. Her intricate textiles, often featuring traditional Hmong motifs, were highly sought after and celebrated for their beauty and craftsmanship.
Nkauj Txawb, a revered Hmong shaman and healer from the 19th century, was renowned for her vast knowledge of traditional medicine and her ability to bridge the spiritual and physical realms. Her teachings and practices have been passed down through generations.
In the 20th century, Nkauj Iab emerged as a prominent figure in the Hmong diaspora, advocating for the preservation of Hmong culture and traditions in the face of displacement and resettlement. Her efforts played a crucial role in maintaining Hmong identity and promoting understanding between cultures.
Nkauj Pov, a contemporary Hmong-American author and poet, has gained recognition for her poignant works exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the Hmong experience. Her writing has shed light on the struggles and resilience of the Hmong community.
While the name Nkauj has deep cultural roots and historical significance within the Hmong community, it has also transcended borders and found appreciation in various parts of the world, serving as a reminder of the rich tapestry of human diversity and the enduring power of names to connect us to our shared human experience.
People
Nkauj + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Nkauj as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with N
Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Nkauj: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Nkauj?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 13 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Nkauj 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 26,365,718 US residents.
Is Nkauj a common name?
We classify Nkauj as "Very Rare". It ranks above 33.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 14 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Nkauj most popular?
The single biggest year for Nkauj was 1985, when 8 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Nkauj is about 38 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 Nkauj in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Nkauj a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Nkauj in the SSA data are female. 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 Nkauj still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Nkauj 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 Nkauj 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 common is the name Nkauj?
Our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers how many Americans are named Nkauj at a glance, with the living-bearer count up front.