Ken
First Name Meaning, Usage, Popularity & Related Names
Ken is a Scottish and Japanese name meaning “born of fire or healthy”. It is a common name, overwhelmingly used for boys, with 99.98% male usage.
Meaning & Origin of the name Ken
Ken is a name of Scottish and Japanese origin that carries distinct meanings depending on its cultural source. In its Scottish context, it acts as a shortened form of Kenneth, which signifies 'born of fire' or 'handsome'. As a Japanese name, it is typically written with kanji that can signify 'healthy', 'strong', or 'studied knowledge'.
Meaning Comments
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Gender Usage of the Name Ken
Overall Gender Classification Methodology
Ken is overwhelmingly used as a name for boys. Approximately 99.98% of recorded bearers are male. This classification is supported by extensive records and is considered highly reliable.
Popularity of the Name Ken
Note: Green bars show popularity (% of births); the violet line shows historical ranking. Data is based on official government birth records. Click any chart to view details by year and region.
Overall PopularityMethodology
Ken is listed under Common Boy Names worldwide. Its overall popularity is supported by stronger usage in Canada across the available regional markets.
| Region | Popularity | Birth Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Uncommon | 1 in every 82K births |
| United Kingdom | Common | 1 in every 120K births |
| Canada | Popular | 1 in every 35K births |
| Australia | Common | 1 in every 265K births |
Ranking OverviewMethodology
Ken ranked #5,233 on the Popular Boys’ Names Worldwide List (2025). It fell from #2,621 in 2024 — a drop of 2,612 places. Ken shows meaningful recent movement in rank, though it remains uncommon overall.
Historically, its best recorded position was #238 in 1974. Its lowest recorded position was #5,643 in 2022. Over the last 5 years (2020–2025) the name fell -1561 places (from #3,672 to #5,233).
Name StyleMethodology
Ken is classified as Classic Boy Names because it appears in 92% of available years and remains active today, averaging 23 births per year after a historical peak in 1960.Explain More
Although the name also meets the Retro criteria, the Classic pattern is more strongly supported: activity across 92% of available years and continued recent use at 23 births per year. The competing Retro pattern is supported by a 1% historical-peak retention level with no material recent rebound, giving the selected Style an evidence margin of 19 percentage points.
Characteristics of the Name Ken
Pronunciation & StructureMethodology
- Phonetic Source
- CMU
- Syllables
- 1 syllable — One-Syllable Boy Names
- Length
- 3 letters — Short Boy Names
- Starts with
- K — Boy Names Starting with K
- Ends with
- n — Boy Names Ending in “n”
Name AestheticMethodology
Ken is a single-syllable name with a sharp, nasal conclusion, defining a minimalist phonetic style. It is globally recognized through the Mattel figure Ken Carson, which lends it a Sleek & Modern and instantly recognizable character. The brevity of the name emphasizes its functionality and direct auditory impact.
Middle Names For Ken
Middle names used with KenMethodology
Ken is most frequently used with these boy middle names: Ken Edward · Ken Allen · Ken Eugene · Ken William · Ken ThomasView all 104 boy middle names.
- Total 158 middle names used with Ken
- 14 girl middle names used with Ken
- 37 unisex middle names used with Ken
Middle name suggestions for KenMethodology
Based on observed first-middle-name pattern combinations, Ken is most frequently associated with boy middle names that have 2 syllables, Strong–Weak stress pattern, 6 letters, and a starting sound of “m”.
Examples: Ken Milton · Ken Melvin · Ken Marvin · Ken Marcus · Ken Mathew. View all 142 suggested middle names.
Names Similar to Ken
Sound Like Ken Finder
Names with the exact same overall pronunciation and sound: Kenny · Kian · Kane · View all Top 100 names
Spelled Like Ken Finder
Names with similar spelling patterns and letter sequences: Keon · Koen · Kean · View all 11 names
Same Starting Sound Finder
Names that begin with a similar phonetic sound: Christopher · Kenneth · Kevin · View all Top 100 names
Rhymes With Ken Finder
Names that share similar ending sounds and rhymes: John · Steven · Kevin · View all Top 100 names
Same Rhythm & Syllables Finder
Names with matching syllable stress and pronunciation rhythm: James · John · Charles · View all Top 100 names
Dictionary & Etymology of “Ken”
Dictionary Meaning of "Ken"Methodology
alternative form of kyn
More Info
How to Spell Ken in ASL
- K
- e
- n
Comments on the name Ken
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