Ken
A boys’ name of Scottish origin, meaning knowledge; a form of Kenneth.
Ken by the numbers
In 2025, 6 babies in England and Wales were named Ken. In the US, 63 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 1,779 babies in 1960, so it is a 1960s name that has since fallen a long way.
Other names that come from Kenneth
Like Ken, each of these traces back to Kenneth: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Kennethhandsome, fair1,751 in the US (2017)
- Mckenzieson of Kenneth; a form of Mackenzie1,665 in the US (2017)
- Kennahandsome; from Kenneth403 in the US (2017)
- Kennyhandsome; diminutive of Kenneth222 in the US (2017)
- Mckynleeson of Kenneth; a modern respelling of Mackenzie43 in the US (2017)
- Mackenzison of Kenneth; modern spelling of Mackenzie29 in the US (2017)
- Mckynzieson of Kenneth; modern spelling of Mackenzie29 in the US (2017)
- Kennithhandsome; a form of Kenneth16 in the US (2017)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Ken. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Koenbold counsel; form of Kuno or Conrad145 in the US (2017)
- Kentbright rim or edge of the coast139 in the US (2017)
- Keirespectful; orderly; may vary with kanji used25 in the US (2017)
- Keansmall keen one; a form of Keane4 in England and Wales (2025)
- Keenbold; sharp; fierce6 in the US (2017)
- Kennroyal; a form of Kenneth6 in the US (2017)
Sounds like Ken
Names that are said the same way as Ken, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean wisdom
Like Ken, each of these has wisdom in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Skylarscholar, learned one; a modern respelling of Schuyler4,984 in the US (2017)
- Quinndescendant of Conn; wise and intelligent4,467 in the US (2017)
- Alfiewise counsel; from Alfred1,955 in England and Wales (2025)
- Sagewise one1,669 in the US (2017)
- Skylerscholar, learned one; modern respelling of Schuyler1,459 in the US (2017)
- Reggiecounsel power; from Reginald1,312 in England and Wales (2025)