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Ken

Boy

Meaning of Ken: Scottish: 'handsome'

Ken is a boy's name most strongly associated with Scottish naming. It has 3 letters and 1 syllable, and it is familiar but far from overused — 3189th most popular boys' name in the United States in 2025.

US rank 2025

#3189

36 babies in 2025

England & Wales 2024

—

Fewer than 3 babies or unlisted

US babies since 1880

33,043

First recorded 1900 · peak 1960

Trend

falling

Style: uncommon

Popularity over time

1981: 145 babies1982: 134 babies1983: 105 babies1984: 116 babies1985: 113 babies1986: 102 babies1987: 126 babies1988: 111 babies1989: 138 babies1990: 147 babies19901991: 127 babies1992: 113 babies1993: 104 babies1994: 112 babies1995: 126 babies1996: 119 babies1997: 125 babies1998: 104 babies1999: 119 babies2000: 123 babies20002001: 124 babies2002: 134 babies2003: 110 babies2004: 153 babies2005: 117 babies2006: 135 babies2007: 120 babies2008: 108 babies2009: 104 babies2010: 68 babies20102011: 88 babies2012: 107 babies2013: 75 babies2014: 85 babies2015: 87 babies2016: 90 babies2017: 63 babies2018: 62 babies2019: 51 babies2020: 56 babies20202021: 52 babies2022: 50 babies2023: 37 babies2024: 36 babies2025: 36 babies
US babies named Ken per year (Social Security Administration). Peak bar = 153.

Gender split

100% boys · 0% girls, based on US, UK and international usage.

Origins & cultures

More Scottish boys' names

Other names starting with K