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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kam

Kam

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAM /kæm/High

Meaning: Crooked nose; crooked river (as short form of Cameron)Medium

In 30 seconds: Kam is a crisp one-syllable name used as a short form of Cameron or Kameron (Scottish: 'crooked river') and independently in Southeast Asian cultures where it means 'gold.'
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Origin MediumScottish, Khmer
MeaningCrooked nose; crooked river (as short form of Cameron)
U.S. rank (2024)#3011 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births41 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 935

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619142024

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

As a short form, Kam traces back to Scottish Gaelic camshròn (crooked nose/river), ancestor of the Cameron surname and clan. The clan Cameron, led by the Lochiel chiefs, played prominent roles in Scottish history including the Jacobite risings.

In modern American usage, Kam stands independently as a cool, minimal one-syllable name. Kam Chancellor, the Seattle Seahawks safety and Super Bowl champion, brought sporting prominence to the name in the 2010s.

Did you know? The Khmer word kam relates to gold and is woven into Cambodian mythology and royal tradition, while in Scottish clan history the Camerons were one of the most powerful Highland clans — giving Kam two very different but equally proud heritages.
Overall data confidence 82%
Behind the Name — Cameron from Gaelic camshronCambodian Language Reference — Kam meaning gold in Khmer

Variations

CameronKameronKamden

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Kam Chancellor (1988–present)
    American NFL safety who won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks.

If you like Kam…

Cam— phonetically identical variant spelling
Kade— short K-initial name of comparable minimalist style
Colt— one-syllable bold masculine name of similar feel
Knoxx— a fellow Scottish choice
Reid— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Kam

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By meaningSea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kam mean?

As a short form of Cameron, Kam means 'crooked nose' or 'crooked river' from Scottish Gaelic. In Khmer it means 'gold.'

How do you pronounce Kam?

Kam is pronounced KAM — a single sharp syllable.

Is Kam a boy or girl name?

Kam is used for both boys and girls, though it appears more frequently for boys, especially as a sports culture nickname.

How popular is Kam?

Kam is uncommon as a standalone name but familiar as a nickname. Kam Chancellor gave it sports-culture visibility in the 2010s.

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