The name "Che" is of Spanish origin and is short for "Chevalier," which means "knight" in French. It was popularized by the Argentine Marxist revolutionary leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara, who fought against the tyranny and injustice of his time. Che Guevara became a symbol of rebellion and revolution during the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro. The name has since become synonymous with activism, politics, and social justice movements around the world. Despite its association with the historical figure, Che remains a unique and powerful name in its own right, often chosen for its strength and significance rather than its popularity or tradition.
The name Che experienced significant popularity from the late 60s to the early 70s, with a peak of 94 births in 1974. However, its usage has steadily declined since then, reaching an all-time low of 8 births in 2023. Over the span of 55 years, there have been a total of 2080 babies named Che.