Ken

♂ Boy

Pronounced KEN /ˈkɛn/High

Meaning: Short form of Kenneth, from Gaelic Cináed, traditionally 'born of fire', or Coinneach, 'handsome'Medium

In 30 seconds: He's just Ken — and also a Scottish king's fire and a Japanese word for strength. One syllable, three civilizations, and a very famous doll.

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Origin MediumScottish, Japanese

MeaningShort form of Kenneth, from Gaelic Cináed, traditionally 'born of fire', or Coinneach, 'handsome'

U.S. rank (2025)#3277 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births36 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1960

Total births (all-time)≈ 33,015

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

Ken abbreviates Kenneth — Gaelic Cináed, 'born of fire', the name of the first king of Scots, or Coinneach, 'handsome' — and stands independently in Japan, where kanji render it 'healthy, strong' or 'wise' (Ken Watanabe carries it). Midcentury America loved Kenneth so much that Ken stood alone on diplomas and, from 1961, on Barbie's arm.

The doll, the verb ('beyond my ken'), and Ken Griffey Jr.'s sweet swing keep the syllable in the culture even as the name rests. As a standalone it is now rare — a vintage minimalist with serious range.

Did you know? Greta Gerwig's Barbie (2023) handed Ken an existential anthem — reviving conversation about a name that was once a top-tier American classic on its own.

Overall data confidence 85%

Behind the Name — Kenneth — Gaelic etymology, debated

Variations

KennethKennyKenji

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Ken Watanabe (1959–present)
Japanese actor known for The Last Samurai and Inception.
★Ken Griffey Jr. (1969–present)
American Hall of Fame baseball player with one of the sport's most admired swings.

If you like Ken…

Kenneth— the Scottish royal classic behind it

Kenji— the Japanese brother form with its own kanji

Kent— a fellow clipped midcentury one-syllable

Glenn— another short vintage staple of the same era

Explore names like Ken

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ken mean?

Ken is a short form of Kenneth — Gaelic for 'born of fire' or 'handsome' — and an independent Japanese name often meaning 'healthy, strong'.

How do you pronounce Ken?

It's said KEN /ˈkɛn/ — a single syllable.

Is Ken a boy or girl name?

Ken is a boy's name.

How popular is Ken?

Ken is rare as a standalone in the U.S. today, a vintage classic between revivals.