Ken Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationKEN / /kɛn/Japanese; English
Meaning
Japanese: strong; English: brave
Historical & Cultural Background
In Japanese culture, Ken is often associated with strength and health, derived from the kanji characters used to write it. In English-speaking countries, Ken is commonly seen as a diminutive of Kenneth, which has Scottish origins. The name has been popularized in various media, contributing to its recognition. Ken has also been used in various cultural contexts, including literature and film.
Trend Summary
Ken has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with notable peaks in the mid-20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Kenn
- Kenny
International Variants
- Kenji (Japanese)
- Kendrick (English)
Famous people named Ken
Ken Burns is an American documentary filmmaker known for his work on historical documentaries.
Ken Jeong is an American actor and comedian, recognized for his role in the film 'The Hangover'.
Ken Griffey Jr. is a former professional baseball player, celebrated for his achievements in Major League Baseball.
Ken Follett is a Welsh author known for his historical novels, including 'The Pillars of the Earth'.
Fictional characters named Ken
Ken is a character from the Barbie franchise, known as Barbie's boyfriend.
Ken Masters is a character in the Street Fighter video game series, recognized as a skilled martial artist.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ken was first seen in the United States in 1900. Ken has ranked as high as #373 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Ken has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Ken (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1900 | 7 |
| 1910 | 5 |
| 1911 | 6 |
| 1912 | 14 |
| 1913 | 10 |
| 1914 | 11 |
| 1915 | 20 |
| 1916 | 17 |
| 1917 | 21 |
| 1918 | 17 |
| 1919 | 19 |
| 1920 | 32 |
| 1921 | 23 |
| 1922 | 29 |
| 1923 | 30 |
| 1924 | 34 |
| 1925 | 39 |
| 1926 | 54 |
| 1927 | 48 |
| 1928 | 34 |
| 1929 | 57 |
| 1930 | 76 |
| 1931 | 95 |
| 1932 | 127 |
| 1933 | 108 |
| 1934 | 152 |
| 1935 | 167 |
| 1936 | 211 |
| 1937 | 203 |
| 1938 | 252 |
| 1939 | 276 |
| 1940 | 303 |
| 1941 | 345 |
| 1942 | 407 |
| 1943 | 444 |
| 1944 | 427 |
| 1945 | 479 |
| 1946 | 684 |
| 1947 | 707 |
| 1948 | 622 |
| 1949 | 456 |
| 1950 | 347 |
| 1951 | 296 |
| 1952 | 321 |
| 1953 | 317 |
| 1954 | 370 |
| 1955 | 439 |
| 1956 | 657 |
| 1957 | 1,178 |
| 1958 | 1,533 |
| 1959 | 1,653 |
| 1960 | 1,776 |
| 1961 | 1,664 |
| 1962 | 1,686 |
| 1963 | 1,634 |
| 1964 | 1,476 |
| 1965 | 1,100 |
| 1966 | 821 |
| 1967 | 649 |
| 1968 | 601 |
| 1969 | 495 |
| 1970 | 486 |
| 1971 | 363 |
| 1972 | 287 |
| 1973 | 232 |
| 1974 | 202 |
| 1975 | 156 |
| 1976 | 137 |
| 1977 | 124 |
| 1978 | 137 |
| 1979 | 119 |
| 1980 | 141 |
| 1981 | 145 |
| 1982 | 135 |
| 1983 | 105 |
| 1984 | 116 |
| 1985 | 112 |
| 1986 | 101 |
| 1987 | 126 |
| 1988 | 111 |
| 1989 | 137 |
| 1990 | 142 |
| 1991 | 127 |
| 1992 | 113 |
| 1993 | 104 |
| 1994 | 112 |
| 1995 | 126 |
| 1996 | 119 |
| 1997 | 125 |
| 1998 | 104 |
| 1999 | 119 |
| 2000 | 123 |
| 2001 | 124 |
| 2002 | 134 |
| 2003 | 110 |
| 2004 | 153 |
| 2005 | 117 |
| 2006 | 135 |
| 2007 | 120 |
| 2008 | 108 |
| 2009 | 104 |
| 2010 | 68 |
| 2011 | 88 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2013 | 75 |
| 2014 | 85 |
| 2015 | 87 |
| 2016 | 90 |
| 2017 | 63 |
| 2018 | 62 |
| 2019 | 51 |
| 2020 | 56 |
| 2021 | 52 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2023 | 37 |
| 2024 | 36 |