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).
Hello, world
Ken
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Ken on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Ken. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
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.