Kohen

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOH-en /ˈkoʊɛn/High

Meaning: Priest; a descendant of the priestly Kohanim classHigh

In 30 seconds: A Hebrew name meaning 'priest,' used as a given name by parents drawn to its spiritual weight and modern sound. Kohen sits at the intersection of ancient Hebrew tradition and contemporary name fashion — resonant, smooth, and distinctive.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningPriest; a descendant of the priestly Kohanim class

U.S. rank (2025)#296 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births1,143 boys (0.06% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,399

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Kohen is a phonetic English spelling of the Hebrew word Kohen (כֹּהֵן), meaning 'priest.' In Jewish tradition, a Kohen is a member of the priestly caste descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses, who served as the first High Priest of Israel. The plural form Kohanim performed the Temple rituals described in Leviticus.

As a given name, Kohen began appearing in U.S. birth records in the 21st century, appealing to parents who liked the sound of Cohen (a common Jewish surname) for its resemblance to modern names like Coen and Koen, while the K-spelling distinguished it. It entered the U.S. top 500 for boys.

Did you know? In Jewish tradition, the Kohanim (priests) are direct descendants of Aaron, brother of Moses — the sacred priestly lineage that served in the Temple of Jerusalem. Using Kohen as a first name outside this tradition is sometimes considered controversial in Orthodox Jewish communities.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Cohen — root form etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CohenCoenKoen

Nicknames

KoKoh

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kohen…

Cohen— the standard spelling of the same Hebrew priestly name

Ezra— short Hebrew name with the same strong priestly/scholarly biblical resonance

Levi— Hebrew tribal name with the same Temple and priestly-class association

Eli— Hebrew priestly name — Eli was the High Priest of Shiloh in 1 Samuel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kohen mean?

Kohen is a Hebrew word meaning 'priest,' referring to the Kohanim, the Jewish priestly class descended from Aaron.

How do you pronounce Kohen?

It is said KOH-en /ˈkoʊɛn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kohen a boy or girl name?

Kohen is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Kohen?

Kohen entered the U.S. top 500 for boys in the 2010s and continues to rise.