Ken
- Pronunciation
- [Ken]
- Gender
- Male
- Meaning
- Strong; Physically Healthy
- Origin
- Japanese
Ken Popularity Snapshot
Across the entire US Social Security Administration record (1880–2024), 32,979 baby boys have been named Ken. The name peaked in 1960 with 1,776 US births that year (rank #177). In 2024, ranked #3295 nationally — 3,118 places below its 1960 peak.
Top States for Ken
Based on 1910–2024 US SSA state-level records, the three states with the most Ken births are: California (6,033), Illinois (1,911), Michigan (1,866).
Other Japanese-Origin Names Like Ken
If you like Ken's Japanese origin, consider these related names: Aiko, Akeno, Aki, Akiko, Akina. Browse all Japanese names →
3-Letter Names Starting with K
Names with Ken's exact length and starting letter: Kai, Kaj, Kam, Kat, Kay.
Quick Facts About Ken
Variant Forms
| Name | Meaning | Gender | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny | Handsome | Male | Irish |
Famous People Named Ken
3 notable figures from history and culture who share the name Ken.
- Ken Burns is an acclaimed American director and producer of documentaries, known for his distinct style of film-making.
- Ken Kesey was an American author, best known for the novel, ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’.
- Ken Wilber is an American writer, public speaker and philosopher.
Looking for names like Ken?
A dedicated page with 60+ related names — spelling variants, rhymes, alliterations, same-origin matches, and shared meaning concepts — lives at its own URL so each kind of similarity gets a deeper treatment than fits here.
Compare Ken to Other Popular Names
Side-by-side popularity charts and crossover years for Ken against today's most popular boys-name peers (top 8 by US births in the last 10 years of SSA records).
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