Ken
Literal root meaning: “handsome”
About the name Ken
Ken is a boy name with Pictish roots, literally “handsome”. It is related to Kenneth, which is where the meaning comes from.
It has a vintage, unique, short & sweet feel. In 2025, Ken ranked #3277 for boys in the US, with 36 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1960. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Ken were boys.
Etymology
A diminutive of Kenneth, which comes from Pictish, meaning literally “handsome”.
Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Ken”, “Kenneth”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- US rank 2025
- #3277
- In 2015
- #1760
- Babies in 2025
- 36
Popularity of Ken, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Nicknames for Ken
Ken is already short and sweet, so it doesn't usually get a nickname.
Names similar to Ken
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.