Ken
English · Boy · 1 syllable
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Ken
Ken is a short form of Kenneth, derived from the Scottish Gaelic "Cináed" (composed of "cen" meaning "head" and "ed" meaning "fire"), literally meaning "handsome head" or "fire-headed." The name is primarily used in English-speaking cultures, particularly in Scotland and among Anglophone populations, with no specific religious affiliation though it gained prominence through Scottish historical figures and later through popular culture.
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Etymology
Ken is a short form of Kenneth, derived from the Scottish Gaelic "Cináed" (composed of "cen" meaning "head" and "ed" meaning "fire"), literally meaning "handsome head" or "fire-headed." The name is primarily used in English-speaking cultures, particularly in Scotland and among Anglophone populations, with no specific religious affiliation though it gained prominence through Scottish historical figures and later through popular culture.
Ken currently ranks #3,277 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1960.
Variants & nicknames
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Sibling name ideas
English, Japanese names that sit beautifully beside KenSimilar names you might like
Names starting with KMore names starting with K
- Kade
- Kaci
- Kaden
- Kacey
- Kaila
- Kaelan
- Kadie
- Kahil
- Kaelah
- Kadyn
- Kacie
- Kaarina
- Kaelum
- Kaidan
- Kady
- Ka
- Kadir
- Kaiden
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