Ken: name meaning, origin & popularity
- Meaning
- “handsome; born of fire”
- Origin
- Scottish Gaelic
- Say it
- KEN · 1 syllable
- Used for
- Boys
In English, Ken is usually a short form of Kenneth, traditionally linked to Scottish Gaelic Coinneach 'handsome.' It is also an independent Japanese name with multiple possible kanji and meanings.
How popular is Ken?
Babies named Ken in 202436
2024 rank#3,272 boys
Peak year1960
Total US babies since 188033,004
Ken is fading: recent use is about 60% of its level ten years before.
Names like Ken
Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.
Ken questions
What does the name Ken mean?
Ken means "handsome; born of fire". It comes from Scottish Gaelic. In English, Ken is usually a short form of Kenneth, traditionally linked to Scottish Gaelic Coinneach 'handsome.' It is also an independent Japanese name with multiple possible kanji and meanings.
Is Ken a boy or girl name?
Ken is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).
How popular is Ken?
36 US babies were named Ken in 2024. Its peak year was 1960.
How do you pronounce Ken?
Ken is usually pronounced KEN.
Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.