Kam

♂ Boy

Kam Pronunciation

Kam is 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

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

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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Themes & Styles

Modern One-syllable Scottish Short Nickname Sports Khmer

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

→ See all names like Kam

Browse the whole category: All Scottish names → · All Khmer names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Kam?

Kam is pronounced KAM (/kæm/). Press play above to hear Kam said aloud.

How do you say Kam?

Kam is said KAM (/kæm/). Press play above to hear Kam said aloud.

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.'

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.