What origin is the name Ken?

Ken comes from english naming traditions. Names from this origin often carry meanings tied to nature, virtues or heritage.

Is Ken a popular name?

Ken is very rare in official US birth records — fewer than 5 babies of this gender were given the name in any year we checked.

Yes. Ken does not appear in US Social Security birth records, which list every name given to at least 5 babies, so it is rare in the US.

What are good sister names for Ken?

Names from the same english tradition pair naturally with Ken — for example Evelyn, Harper, Ella. You can browse more on our english names page.

Ken Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

Ken

Boy

english

1 syllable

Ken is an english boy's name meaning "Handsome; clear water; royal obligation. abbreviation of names beginning with ken-; strong; physically healthy; diminutive of kenneth: handsome. root of the surname mackenzie. famous bearer: kenneth grahame (1859- 1932), author of the wind in the willows".

Ken is a boy name of english origin meaning "Handsome; clear water; royal obligation. abbreviation of names beginning with ken-; strong; physically healthy; diminutive of kenneth: handsome. root of the surname mackenzie. famous bearer: kenneth grahame (1859- 1932), author of the wind in the willows". At just 3 letters, it is short and easy to say. It has 1 syllable.

Origin: english
Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1

Meaning compiled from public name lists.

Meaning

Handsome; clear water; royal obligation. abbreviation of names beginning with ken-; strong; physically healthy; diminutive of kenneth: handsome. root of the surname mackenzie. famous bearer: kenneth grahame (1859- 1932), author of the wind in the willows

Popularity

Very rare in US records (source: US Social Security Administration birth records (best rank 2008–2017))

Quick answers about Ken

Very rare in US records

What does Ken mean?

Ken is a boy name of english origin meaning "Handsome; clear water; royal obligation. abbreviation of names beginning with ken-; strong; physically healthy; diminutive of kenneth: handsome. root of the surname mackenzie. famous bearer: kenneth grahame (1859- 1932), author of the wind in the willows".

Is Ken a rare name?

Yes. Ken does not appear in official US birth records for 2017, meaning fewer than 5 babies got the name that year.

Sister names that go with Ken

Evelyn Harper Ella Lily Scarlett Audrey

Combine Ken with another name

Our free name combiner blends two names into new baby name ideas.

Names with a similar meaning to Ken

Ken means "Handsome; clear water; royal obligation. abbreviation of names beginning with ken-; strong; physically healthy; diminutive of kenneth: handsome. root of the surname mackenzie. famous bearer: kenneth grahame (1859- 1932), author of the wind in the willows" — these names share that spirit.