Kenan
Kenan is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Possession, buyer, or sorrow.
Origin and history
Kenan is a biblical name of Hebrew origin, traditionally understood to mean 'possession' or 'sorrow'. In the Old Testament, Kenan is a patriarch listed among the ancestors before the Flood. In the United States, it remains a relatively rare but steadily used name for boys.
Popularity in the United States
4,645 babies in the United States have been named Kenan since 1880. It ranks #1820 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1103.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.7 %)
- NC (14.5 %)
- NY (13.9 %)
- TX (11.5 %)
- IL (9.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 10 |
| 1950-1960 | 52 |
| 1960-1970 | 107 |
| 1970-1980 | 258 |
| 1980-1990 | 350 |
| 1990-2000 | 770 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,045 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,104 |
| 2020-2029 | 949 |
Famous people named Kenan
- Kenan Thompson: Actor, Comedian
Fun facts
- In Genesis, Kenan is the son of Enosh and the great-grandson of Adam.
- It is often encountered as Keenan or Kanan in contemporary English-speaking regions.