The name Che is of Spanish origin and means "and" or "with". It was popularized by the Cuban revolutionary leader and political theorist, Fidel Castro's brother-in-law, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, who played a significant role in the Cuban Revolution.
Born on June 14, 1928, in Argentina, Guevara became known as Che, which is short for "checha," meaning "little" or "and" when pronounced with the Argentine accent. Guevara was a physician by profession but abandoned his medical career to become a full-time revolutionary, fighting against poverty and injustice.
Che's name has since become synonymous with revolution, rebellion, and anti-establishment sentiment worldwide. The symbol of Che Guevara, often depicted as a red star on a yellow background, is widely recognized as a symbol of left-wing movements and communist ideologies.
The name Che has been a relatively uncommon choice for babies born in the United States over the past five decades. Between 1969 and 2011, there were a total of 364 babies named Che born in the U.S.
The most popular years for the name Che were in the late 1970s to early 1980s, with peaks of 18 births in 1974 and 17 births both in 1984 and 1985. However, the number of babies named Che has fluctuated over time, ranging from a high of 18 births in 1974 to a low of just 5 births in several years including 1987, 2000, 2002, and 2005.
Despite these fluctuations, the name Che has remained consistently rare throughout its history in the United States. It is clear that parents who choose this name are making a unique and distinct decision for their child's moniker.