N
NamyLab

Ken

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Handsome; or Healthy"

Typically a short form of Kenneth in English; also an independent Japanese name with multiple kanji-derived meanings.

Themes:nicknamemasculineshortinternational

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection CuratorCreative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Ken

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#3295Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Ken did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Ken Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Ken.

9 ideas
kie
Nickname
ky
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ko
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ke
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KE
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kenie
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keny
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keno
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kkie
Nickname

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Ken mean?
Ken means "Handsome; or Healthy". Typically a short form of Kenneth in English; also an independent Japanese name with multiple kanji-derived meanings.
What is the origin of Ken?
Ken is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Ken?
According to the latest SSA data, Ken is currently ranked #3295 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Ken a boy name?
Ken is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Ken?
Popular nicknames for Ken include kie, ky, ko, ke, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Ken?
There are many names similar to Ken in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish, Scottish, Japanese
Syllables1
Length3 letters
US Rank#3295
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withK

Explore More Boy Names Like Ken

Ken has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Ken appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Japanese Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Traditional English Names and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Ken pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Ken beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.