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Home › Baby Names Directory › Chen

Chen

♂ Boy

Pronounced CHUN /ˈtʃən/Medium

Meaning: From the Chinese, variously 'morning; dawn' and 'a celestial body/star' (chen); also a common surname meaning 'to arrange/display'; used for both sexes; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Morning; dawn; a celestial body: Chen is Chinese. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes (said 'CHUN').
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Origin LowChinese
MeaningFrom the Chinese, variously 'morning; dawn' and 'a celestial body/star' (chen); also a common surname meaning 'to arrange/display'; used for both sexes; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#9110 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1983
Total births (all-time)≈ 193

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200419772024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Chen comes from the Chinese, variously 'morning; dawn' and 'a celestial body/star' (chen); also a common surname meaning 'to arrange/display' (routes layered, which we note). Used for both sexes, here for a boy (slug distinguished; said 'CHUN').

In the U.S. it appears in Chinese families. Rare as a given name, morning-and-dawn at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Chen is Chinese, variously 'morning; dawn' and 'a celestial body/star' (also a common surname) — a crisp name, used for both sexes (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'CHUN').
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Chen — Chinese; unisex; routes layered

Variations

ChernChenn

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Chen…

Jian— a fellow Chinese boys' name
Ren— lands in the same popularity range
Yichen— a fellow Chinese choice
Sun— a similarly popular pick
Chi— shares Chen's Chinese roots

Explore names like Chen

By themeuncertainunisexchinese

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Chen mean?

Chen is Chinese, variously 'morning; dawn' and 'a celestial body' (also a surname); used for both sexes; here for a boy. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Chen?

It's said CHUN /tn/ — one syllable.

Is Chen a boy or girl name?

Chen is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Chen?

Chen is a very rare given name in the U.S.

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