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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kaplan

Kaplan

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAP-lan /ˈkæp.lɑn/Medium

Meaning: Kaplan has two well-documented routes. In Turkish, kaplan means 'tiger', and it is used as both a surname and a given name. Separately, Kaplan is a common Ashkenazi Jewish surname derived from 'chaplain' (via Polish/German kaplan, 'priest'), historically used as an equivalent of Cohen. We give both routes honestly.Medium

In 30 seconds: Kaplan is Turkish for 'tiger' - and separately an Ashkenazi Jewish surname meaning 'chaplain'. Both are real (said 'KAP-lan').
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Origin MediumTurkish, Hebrew
MeaningKaplan has two well-documented routes. In Turkish, kaplan means 'tiger', and it is used as both a surname and a given name. Separately, Kaplan is a common Ashkenazi Jewish surname derived from 'chaplain' (via Polish/German kaplan, 'priest'), historically used as an equivalent of Cohen. We give both routes honestly.
U.S. rank (2022)#8643 ↘ Falling
2022 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 68

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202220022022

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

Kaplan has two distinct and well-documented routes. In Turkish it is the everyday word for 'tiger' and serves as a surname and a given name. In Ashkenazi Jewish usage it is a widespread surname taken from kaplan, 'chaplain, priest', in Polish and German, and it was often used as a rendering of Cohen. As an American first name it is a rare surname pick that may draw on either heritage; we give both honestly (said 'KAP-lan').

It appears only very rarely as a first name for boys in the U.S. Rare as a given name, common as a surname.

Did you know? In Turkish, kaplan simply means 'tiger'. In Ashkenazi Jewish naming, Kaplan is a surname from 'chaplain', long used as an equivalent of Cohen. Two very different routes, both documented (said 'KAP-lan').
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Kaplan — Turkish kaplan 'tiger'; Ashkenazi surname from kaplan 'chaplain', used for Cohen.

Variations

KaplannCaplanKapland

Nicknames

KapKappyLan

Famous Bearers

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If you like Kaplan…

Harlan— a like surname-style -lan name
Declan— a near-rhyme with the same rhythm
Kellan— shares the K- opening and -lan ending
Nolan— a fellow surname turned given name

Explore names like Kaplan

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kaplan mean?

Kaplan means 'tiger' in Turkish. Separately, it is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname from 'chaplain', historically used as an equivalent of Cohen. Both routes are documented.

How do you pronounce Kaplan?

It's said KAP-lan /ˈkæp.lɑn/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kaplan a boy or girl name?

Kaplan is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Kaplan?

Kaplan is very rare as a first name for boys in the U.S.

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