Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Ken originates from the Scottish Gaelic 'Coinneach', meaning 'handsome' or 'born of fire'. It evolved through historical forms such as Coinneach and Kenneth. Ken is perceived as a classic and friendly name today. It has no biblical relevance and gained popularity in the 20th century. Notable people with this name include Ken Follett, Ken Burns, and Ken Jeong.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/kɛn/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
Ken is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name 'Coinneach', which means 'handsome' or 'born of fire'.
Meaning
handsome, born of fire
Language Evolution
Coinneach, Ken, Kenneth
Historical Usage
Ken gained popularity as a given name in the 20th century, often used as a short form of Kenneth.
Variants & Derivatives
Kenneth, Kenny, Kensington
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Ken is seen as a classic name that evokes a friendly and approachable image, often associated with the popular doll, Ken, from the Barbie franchise.
Famous People
Ken Follett, Ken Burns, Ken Jeong
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,776 peak births in 1960
Geographic Spread
Popular across 49 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (2 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 2 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1402nd of 7545 | 429 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 381st of 6773 | 4,163 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 237th of 7552 | 17,816 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 410th of 10718 | 6,050 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 903rd of 16616 | 1,931 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1322nd of 24088 | 1,839 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2245th of 23106 | 744 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 11010th of 12526 | 10 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 16521st of 19264 | 10 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
74.79% 1059th/1416 |
78.61% 1084th/1379 |
- |
45.01% 514th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
18.24% 282nd/1546 |
29.37% 457th/1556 |
27.50% 647th/2353 |
13.64% 211th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
9.12% 203rd/2227 |
11.52% 280th/2430 |
11.64% 332nd/2853 |
5.95% 165th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
12.67% 372nd/2937 |
13.72% 478th/3483 |
12.91% 454th/3518 |
8.36% 338th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
34.36% 1266th/3685 |
19.55% 875th/4475 |
21.10% 1096th/5194 |
11.26% 711th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
38.37% 1758th/4582 |
22.85% 1180th/5164 |
23.44% 1714th/7313 |
12.69% 947th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
52.98% 2377th/4487 |
37.38% 2550th/6822 |
22.90% 1437th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Hawaii across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1402nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 381st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 237th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 410th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 903rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1322nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2245th out of 23106 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 11010th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 16521st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 27321st out of 27321 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.