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Kannan
Pronounced KUH-nun /ˈkʌ.nən/Medium
Meaning: From Tamil Kannan, a name of the god Krishna — variously 'the dark one; the beloved one; the one with beautiful eyes'; we note the deityLow
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
Kannan comes from Tamil Kannan, a beloved name of the god Krishna — variously 'the dark one; the beloved one; the one with beautiful eyes' (from Tamil kan, 'an eye'; we note the deity). A lyrical, devout South Indian name (said 'KUH-nun'; nickname Kanna).
In the U.S. it appears in South Indian families. Rare, Krishna-and-the-beloved-one at the root, and devout.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Kannan mean?
Kannan is a Tamil name of the god Krishna — 'the dark one; the beloved one'. We note the deity.
How do you pronounce Kannan?
It's said KUH-nun /ˈkʌ.nən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Kannan a boy or girl name?
Kannan is a boy's name.
How popular is Kannan?
Kannan is a rare name in the U.S.