Meaning: Priest; a descendant of the priestly Kohanim classHigh
In 30 seconds: A Hebrew name meaning 'priest,' used as a given name by parents drawn to its spiritual weight and modern sound. Kohen sits at the intersection of ancient Hebrew tradition and contemporary name fashion — resonant, smooth, and distinctive.
Kohen is a phonetic English spelling of the Hebrew word Kohen (כֹּהֵן), meaning 'priest.' In Jewish tradition, a Kohen is a member of the priestly caste descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses, who served as the first High Priest of Israel. The plural form Kohanim performed the Temple rituals described in Leviticus.
As a given name, Kohen began appearing in U.S. birth records in the 21st century, appealing to parents who liked the sound of Cohen (a common Jewish surname) for its resemblance to modern names like Coen and Koen, while the K-spelling distinguished it. It entered the U.S. top 500 for boys.
Did you know? In Jewish tradition, the Kohanim (priests) are direct descendants of Aaron, brother of Moses — the sacred priestly lineage that served in the Temple of Jerusalem. Using Kohen as a first name outside this tradition is sometimes considered controversial in Orthodox Jewish communities.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Cohen — root form etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data
Variations
CohenCoenKoen
Nicknames
KoKoh
Famous Bearers
Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Kohen…
Cohen— the standard spelling of the same Hebrew priestly name
Ezra— short Hebrew name with the same strong priestly/scholarly biblical resonance
Levi— Hebrew tribal name with the same Temple and priestly-class association
Eli— Hebrew priestly name — Eli was the High Priest of Shiloh in 1 Samuel
