Boy
Ken
handsome
About Ken
This classic single-syllable name carries a timeless quality that works beautifully across generations and cultures. It's straightforward yet sophisticated, offering a perfect balance between casual approachability and professional polish. Parents who choose Ken often appreciate its clean, no-nonsense character and the confidence it projects. The name has maintained steady popularity without ever feeling trendy or dated, making it a reliable choice that won't feel out of place in any era. Its brevity makes it memorable and easy to spell, while its strong consonant sounds give it a decisive, purposeful quality that many parents find appealing.
Popularity of the Name Ken
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | #925 | |||
| 1929 | #880 | |||
| 1930 | #728 | |||
| 1931 | #607 | |||
| 1932 | #511 | |||
| 1933 | #553 | |||
| 1934 | #457 | |||
| 1935 | #440 | |||
| 1936 | #376 | |||
| 1937 | #385 | |||
| 1938 | #349 | |||
| 1939 | #335 | |||
| 1940 | #327 | |||
| 1941 | #312 | |||
| 1942 | #302 | |||
| 1943 | #294 | |||
| 1944 | #287 | |||
| 1945 | #272 | |||
| 1946 | #227 | |||
| 1947 | #247 | |||
| 1948 | #261 | |||
| 1949 | #322 | |||
| 1950 | #361 | |||
| 1951 | #394 | |||
| 1952 | #381 | |||
| 1953 | #393 | |||
| 1954 | #366 | |||
| 1955 | #344 | |||
| 1956 | #285 | |||
| 1957 | #221 | |||
| 1958 | #185 | |||
| 1959 | #182 | |||
| 1960 | #177 | |||
| 1961 | #188 | |||
| 1962 | #181 | |||
| 1963 | #178 | |||
| 1964 | #192 | |||
| 1965 | #218 | |||
| 1966 | #252 | |||
| 1967 | #284 | |||
| 1968 | #306 | |||
| 1969 | #356 | |||
| 1970 | #369 | |||
| 1971 | #425 | |||
| 1972 | #465 | |||
| 1973 | #515 | |||
| 1974 | #564 | #354 | ||
| 1975 | #660 | |||
| 1976 | #716 | |||
| 1977 | #764 | |||
| 1978 | #718 | |||
| 1979 | #795 | |||
| 1980 | #739 | |||
| 1981 | #718 | |||
| 1982 | #761 | |||
| 1983 | #856 | |||
| 1984 | #813 | #301 | ||
| 1985 | #850 | |||
| 1986 | #908 | #348 | ||
| 1987 | #830 | |||
| 1988 | #907 | |||
| 1989 | #855 | |||
| 1990 | #854 | #341 | #367 | |
| 1991 | #938 | #314 | #702 | |
| 1995 | #989 | #794 | ||
| 2001 | #467 | #859 | ||
| 1992 | #552 | |||
| 1993 | #557 | |||
| 1994 | #443 | |||
| 1996 | #720 | |||
| 1997 | #563 | |||
| 1998 | #753 | |||
| 1999 | #830 | |||
| 2000 | #784 | |||
| 2002 | #974 | |||
| 2006 | #933 | |||
| 2010 | #828 |
Top names by country: United States · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Ken
Names Similar to Ken
Nicknames for Ken
- Kenny
- Kenny Boy
- K
- K-Dog
Famous People Named Ken
| Ken Burns | American filmmaker |
| Ken Jeong | American comedian and actor |
| Ken Griffey Jr. | American baseball player |
| Ken Follett | British author |
| Ken Watanabe | Japanese actor |
| Ken Shamrock | American mixed martial artist |
| Ken Thompson | American computer scientist |
| Ken Stabler | American football player |
| Ken Loach | British filmmaker |
| Ken Block | American rally driver |
| Ken Rosewall | Australian tennis player |
| Ken Nordine | American voice-over artist |
| Ken Howard | American actor |
| Ken Russell | British film director |
| Ken Norton | American boxer |
| Ken Roczen | German motocross racer |
| Ken Curtis | American actor |
| Ken Hensley | English musician |
| Ken Kesey | American author |
| Ken Carter | American basketball coach |
Characters Named Ken
| Ken Masters | Street Fighter video game series |
| Ken Kaneki | Tokyo Ghoul manga/anime |
| Ken Taylor | Bee Movie |
| Ken Ichijouji | Digimon Adventure 02 |
| Ken Mattingly | Apollo 13 movie |
| Ken Barlow | Coronation Street TV series |
| Ken Washio | Science Ninja Team Gatchaman anime |
| Ken Murphy | Sledge Hammer! TV series |
| Ken Miller | Erin Brockovich movie |
| Ken Parry | The Full Monty movie |
| Ken Tanaka | Glee TV series |
| Ken Titus | Titus TV series |
| Ken Adams | Furious 7 movie |
| Ken Carson | Toy Story 3 character |
| Ken Wahl | Wiseguy TV series |
| Ken Harper | The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book series |
| Ken Rosenberg | Red Dead Redemption 2 video game |
| Ken Cosgrove | Mad Men TV series |