Cohen

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOH-en /ˈkoʊ.ən/High

Meaning: Priest; from Hebrew kohen (priest), the word for a Jewish priest descended from AaronHigh

In 30 seconds: A Hebrew name meaning 'priest,' derived from the word for a Jewish temple priest. It is also a very common Jewish surname — using it as a first name is controversial in some Jewish communities.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningPriest; from Hebrew kohen (priest), the word for a Jewish priest descended from Aaron

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 12,643

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Cohen derives from the Hebrew כֹּהֵן (kohen), meaning 'priest' — specifically a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, a descendant of Aaron. Cohen is one of the most common Jewish surnames in the world (alongside Levi and Levy). As a given name it is a modern American usage, largely among non-Jewish parents who are drawn to its sound rather than its religious significance.

Cohen as a first name has been rising in the United States since the 2000s, particularly among non-Jewish families. Its use as a first name is considered by many Jewish families to be culturally appropriative or disrespectful of the surname's sacred significance. This is a consideration for prospective parents. As a given name it ranked in the top 300 boys' names in the 2010s.

Did you know? In Jewish tradition, a Kohen (plural: Kohanim) is a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who served as priests in the Temple. Kohanim have specific religious duties and privileges that continue to this day — making this one of the most theologically charged words in Judaism.

Variations

KohenCoen

Nicknames

Coe

Famous Bearers

★Leonard Cohen (1934–2016)
Canadian poet, novelist, and musician; among the most celebrated singer-songwriters of the 20th century.

If you like Cohen…

Beckett— literary surname name with a similar crisp two-syllable feel

Callum— two-syllable surname-origin name with similar Semitic/Celtic heritage

Levi— Hebrew name from the same priestly/biblical tradition

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cohen mean?

Cohen means 'priest' from Hebrew kohen — specifically a Temple priest descended from Aaron. It is also a common Jewish surname.

How do you pronounce Cohen?

Cohen is pronounced KOH-en (/ˈkoʊ.ən/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Cohen a boy or girl name?

Cohen is used exclusively as a boy's name.

How popular is Cohen?

Cohen entered the U.S. top 300 boys' names in the 2010s, though its use as a first name is considered culturally sensitive by some Jewish communities.