Kurt is a name of German origin, derived from the Old High German word "curti," which means "short" or "brief." The name has been used in Germany since medieval times and was traditionally given to boys born with short stature.
In English-speaking countries, the name Kurt gained popularity in the early 20th century due to its association with notable figures such as Austrian-British composer Kurt Weill, German-American physicist Kurt Gödel, and German-American conductor Kurt Masur. Today, Kurt remains a popular choice for parents seeking a unique yet timeless name for their baby boys.
The name Kurt has been used by people from diverse backgrounds throughout history. Some famous individuals named Kurt include actor Kurt Russell, musician Kurt Cobain, and author Kurt Vonnegut. Despite its Germanic roots, the name Kurt has been embraced by families across cultures and nationalities, demonstrating its universality and appeal.
The name Kurt has been given to babies born in the United States since at least 1894, with a total of 7 recorded births that year. The number of babies named Kurt fluctuated over the next few decades, ranging from as low as 5 births in some years to as high as 26 births in others.
However, starting in the early 1930s, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of the name Kurt. In 1934, there were 69 births, which doubled to 135 births by 1937. This upward trend continued throughout the 1940s and 1950s, with the highest number of Kurt births recorded in 1956 at 2,387.
The popularity of the name Kurt peaked in the late 1950s to early 1960s, with over 3,000 births recorded annually between 1959 and 1964. However, after this peak, the number of babies named Kurt began to decline steadily.
By the 1970s, there were around 1,200 births per year on average, with a low point of 875 births in 1973. This trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with the number of Kurt births falling to an average of around 400 per year.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Kurt has continued to decrease, with only 57 recorded births in the United States in 2023. Despite this decline in popularity, Kurt remains a distinct and recognizable name with a long history in the United States.
Overall, there have been a total of 85,732 babies named Kurt born in the United States since records began.