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Canaan

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAY-nun /ˈkeɪ.nən/High

Meaning: Lowland; the land of Canaan; from Hebrew Kena'an, possibly from kana (to be low, humble, to be subdued)Medium

In 30 seconds: A Hebrew place name meaning 'lowland' or 'subdued land,' from kana. The biblical land of Canaan — the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey — gives this name both a geographic and theological dimension.
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningLowland; the land of Canaan; from Hebrew Kena'an, possibly from kana (to be low, humble, to be subdued)
U.S. rank (2024)#1087 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births199 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,629

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619732024

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

History & Origin

Canaan is the Hebrew name for the ancient land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. The biblical Canaan was the grandson of Noah (Genesis 9) and the eponymous ancestor of the Canaanite peoples. The Hebrew root may mean 'lowland' or 'subdued.'

Canaan has been used as a given name in Christian communities, particularly those drawn to biblical place names. It ranked #1087 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? The Land of Canaan, described in the Bible as 'flowing with milk and honey,' is one of the most evocative geographical descriptions in literature — and the word 'Canaan' itself possibly refers to a people subdued by ancient conquest, making it a name that carries 3,500 years of Near Eastern history.
Overall data confidence 83%
Behind the Name — Canaan — Hebrew etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CananKanan

Nicknames

Can

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If you like Canaan…

Eden— Hebrew biblical place name (paradise) used as a given name
Shiloh— Hebrew biblical place name used as a given name
Zion— Hebrew biblical place name (Jerusalem's hill) used as a given name
Judah— Hebrew biblical tribal place name with the same ancient gravitas
Jordan— Hebrew biblical river name with the same geographical-spiritual dimension

Frequently Asked

What does the name Canaan mean?

Canaan means 'lowland' or 'subdued land,' from Hebrew kana. It is the biblical name of the Promised Land described as 'flowing with milk and honey.'

How do you pronounce Canaan?

It's said KAY-nun — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Canaan a boy or girl name?

Canaan is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Canaan?

Canaan ranked #1087 for U.S. boys in 2024.