Research-backed
In This Article
- Origin, Meaning, And History Of Ken
- How To Pronounce Ken?
- Phonemic Representation Of Ken
- Notable People Named Ken
- Ken On The Popularity Chart
- Popularity Over Time
- Rank Over Time
- Ken On MomJunction Popularity Chart
- Ken Name's Presence On Social Media
- Ken’s Mention In Fictional Works
- Names With Similar Sound As Ken
- Popular Sibling Names For Ken
- Other Popular Names Beginning With K
- Names With Same Meaning As Ken
- Names Rhyming With Ken
- Popular Songs On The Name Ken
- Acrostic Poem On Ken
- ‘Ken’ In QR Code
- Adorable Nicknames For Ken
- Ken’s Zodiac Sign As Per Western Astrology
- Ken’s Zodiac Sign And Birth Star As Per Vedic Astrology
- Ken Personality Traits As Per Numerology
- Infographic: Know The Name Ken's Personality As Per Numerology
- Ken In Different Languages
- Ken In Fancy Fonts
- Adorable ‘Ken’ Wallpapers To Share
- How To Communicate The Name Ken In Sign Languages
- Name Numerology For Ken
- Baby Name Lists Containing Ken
- Movie Titles Inspired By The Name Ken
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Look Up For Many More Names
Origin, Meaning, And History Of Ken
The name Ken originates in various cultures and languages around the world, including Japanese and Scottish. It is derived from different words with unique meanings, making it a diverse and intriguing name with a rich history.
In Japanese, the name Ken means ‘good health’ or ‘intelligent.’ This name is often used as a given name for boys in Japan.
The name Ken has Celtic origins with a powerful meaning of ‘born of fire’ and ‘handsome.’ It is often used as a short form of Kenneth, Kendrick, Kenan, Kendall, Krenton, and Mackenzie. Despite these variations, Ken remains a strong and distinctive name in itself.
Ken may also have originated from the Anglo-French words ‘ken’ or ‘chen,’ which meant ‘dog’ in Old French (chien). These words were possibly used as nicknames or metonymic names for individuals who owned hunting dogs. Another possible origin is the German word ‘Kenn,’ which could have been a shortened form of the personal name ‘Konrad’ or a reference to a place called Kenn near Trier.
Ken also acts as a habitational name to denote people from Kenn situated in Devon and Avon, both named after streams on which they stand.
Ken became a household name in countries all around the world after appearing as Ken Carson, the eponymous boyfriend of Barbie. Ken Wheatley is also a popular character in the Jurassic Park series. The name is also widely popular in Japanese popular culture, and appearing as Ken Kaneki, the protagonist of Tokyo Ghoul, and Ken ‘Acro’ Dingling in the video game series Ace Attorney.
Ken
Boy
Christianity
Japanese
3
One
1 word, 3 letters, 1 vowel, 2 consonants
Short and easy to pronounce
Connected with someone called Ken? Send this page their way as a fun share!
How To Pronounce Ken?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Ken in English.
Phonemic Representation Of Ken
Phonemics is the study of a language’s distinctive sound units (phonemes), as standardized by the International Phonetics Association. When choosing a name for your baby, knowing its phonemic pronunciation gives an idea about the name’s sound pattern and auditory appeal. You can assess the name’s ease of pronunciation, memorability, and softness. Here is the phonemic transcription of Ken in American and British accents.
- In American English: /ken/
- In British English: /kɛn/
Pronunciation of names, in fact, any spoken word, involves the participation of various parts of the mouth, vocal cord, nose, and lungs. Underneath all the sounds we make is the airstream flowing from the lungs and moving up to the mouth. It’s incredible how lips, tongue, teeth, alveolar ridge, palate, glottis, and larynx work harmoniously to bring out the words. Studies have proved that positive sounds like OM (AUM) help maintain hormonal balance and mental health and reduce stress and anxiety. So, what parts does Ken trigger? Find the details here; the sound of Ken might bring in more positive vibes into your life!
| Phoneme | Articulation |
|---|---|
| /k/ | Raising the back of the tongue to the soft palate or velum. Airflow stops for a fraction of a second |
| /e/ | Tongue mid front, spread lips. Airflow is continuous |
| /n/ | Tip of the tongue touching the alveolar ridge. Airflow stops for a fraction of a second |
Notable People Named Ken
This section covers people who have made the name Ken famous with their contributions in various fields. It indeed is a little more inspiration for you to choose the name for your baby, don’t you think?
- Ken JeongAmerican comedian, actor and physician
- Ken WatanabeActor
- Ken BurnsDocumentary filmmaker
- Ken FollettNovelist
- Ken DoddComedian, singer and actor
- Ken AkamatsuJapanese manga artist and writer, best known for his popular series, Love Hina and Negima!
- Ken BarrieEnglish voice actor and singer, most notably recognized for performing the theme songs of BBC television programs
- Kenneth Gene CaminitiAmerican professional baseball player, a three-time All-Star and won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1996
- KenJapanese musician and singer-songwriter recognized as the guitarist of the renowned Japanese rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel
- Kenneth Lauren BurnsAmerican documentary filmmaker known for his style of using archival footage and photographs in his films
Ken On The Popularity Chart
Although the name maintained consistent popularity, Ken has not performed well on the ranking chart. Find out more by studying these graphs.
Popularity Over Time
Ken has maintained consistent popularity since its inception, reaching its peak in 2004 with 153 babies per million donning the name.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Although the name appeared higher on the charts in its initial years, Ken dropped down in ranks steadily after reaching its lifetime best rank of 12,911 in 1981.
Source: Social Security AdministrationKen On MomJunction Popularity Chart
Know how popular the name Ken is among the MomJunction readers. We used a unique approach to gather relevant insights for creating this popularity chart by observing the interactions and interest around the name on our platform. See what the trend has been among our readers over these past years.
Ken Name’s Presence On Social Media
Before you finalize your baby’s name, you would want to assess if the name is rare or popular. Digital footprint of the name - it’s presence on the internet and social media platforms - can provide you with valuable insights on it’s popularity. A name’s online presence is an important metric for new parents to evaluate their options and make an informed choice. How many people are searching the name on Google, how many profiles are there on Facebook, does the name have a Wikipedia page? Such information surely tells you if the name is ubiquitous or unique. Here is how Ken fares on that count.
Number of profiles on Facebook
Monthly global searches on Google
Ken’s Mention In Fictional Works
In this section, know how the creative minds have treated the name Ken in their fictional works. How often has the name been woven into the storylines, and how popular was the character – these details may not directly influence your naming decision, but you would like to know about Ken’s performance in the world of entertainment, won’t you? Moreover, it could be the name of the character from a movie or series you loved or binge-watched recently! So, check out Ken’s performance in the fictional cosmos.
| Title | Character name | Role played by |
|---|---|---|
| Another Wonderful Day in Paradise | Ken | Jonghoon Han |
| East of Hollywood | Ken | Michael Tow |
| My Friend Charles | Ken Palmer | Francis Matthews |
| No Second Chances | Ken | Erik Lara |
| Cozmo's | Ken | Drake Bell |
| Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Ken Rosenberg | William Fichtner |
| Excerpt | Ken Crombie | Joshua J. Matos |
| Defunctland | Ken Peterson | Dan Becker |
| Cos-Tunes | Ken | Charlie Maietta |
| Early Doors: Live | Ken | John Henshaw |
Names With Similar Sound As Ken
Do you like the jingle of the name Ken, but want to find a different name with some other meaning? Here are some interesting similar-sounding names.
Popular Sibling Names For Ken
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Ken, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Ken
Find matching brother names for Ken and create a wonderful team of siblings.
KanekiKanna Kanon Kenichi Kenji Kenjiro Kenpachi Kenshin Kenshiro Kentaro Girl Sibling Names For Ken
Looking for some suitable sister names for Ken? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
KahnayKaianna Kaina Kainaat Kainat Kainda Kana Kanak priya Kanakabati Kanakachapa Other Popular Names Beginning With K
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter K to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Same Meaning As Ken
Are you dubious about whether Ken is the right choice? There are many names with similar meanings as Ken for your consideration.
Names Rhyming With Ken
The significance of rhyming names extends beyond their aesthetic appeal and a good feel. The repetition and symmetry enhance their memorability. If you want your children’s names to be easily remembered or tune with your name, try some rhyming names. Here are such names that rhyme with Ken.
Popular Songs On The Name Ken
Acrostic Poem On Ken
Dive into the lyrical charm of the name Ken with this acrostic poem. Witness how each letter paints together a story, capturing the name’s individuality, strength, vitality, and sophistication. Inspiring, is it? Why not try a similar poem that describes what you think of your baby’s personality?
Keen-eyed knight with a king-sized heart.
Ethereal beauty, one in nature’s symphony.
Nurturing resilience and navigating challenges, never succumbing.
‘Ken’ In QR Code
Here's a unique feature for the modern, tech-savvy, and curious parents – have your baby's name in a QR code. If you want your close circle to know your newborn's name, all you need to do is simply scan and share it. The code not only shows the name but its meaning as well; this means you don't have to painfully explain the meaning of your baby's name anymore! So, go ahead. Download, save, and share it with your family and friends, or use it to create personalized keepsakes for your little one.
Adorable Nicknames For Ken
Nicknames are an integral part of your communication with your baby. You tend to use several variations of your child’s name; some are meaningful, while others are simply adorable sounds. Here are a few nicknames you can begin with for the name Ken.
- Kenny
- Kenji
- Kenz
- K
- Kenster
Ken’s Zodiac Sign As Per Western Astrology
Western astrology includes the construction of a horoscope based on the person’s exact time of birth and location to understand the positions of the planet, stars, and zodiac signs at that time. However, in popular culture, it is often narrowed down to the sun sign, which depends on the person’s birth date.There are 12 zodiac signs, each having dominant traits, planetary rulers, elemental connection, and more.
Zodiac sign or Sun sign
The Earth’s orbit around the sun is divided into 12 zodiac signs covering 30-degree sectors. According to Western astrology, the zodiac or sun sign depends on the sun’s position in one of these sectors at the time of your birth. Starting from the sun’s position at the March equinox, the chart goes anti-clockwise from Aries, followed by Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. These signs are ruled by planetary bodies - Mars, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Furthermore, they are categorized into triplicities or elemental signs - fire, water, air, and earth - that govern their characteristics. Each of these zodiac signs features certain personality traits that may determine how a person presents themselves.
Why the date of birth matters
Each zodiac sign in Western astrology is linked to a specific range of dates in the year. Unlike Vedic astrology, where names can sometimes be used to infer astrological details, Western astrology relies entirely on the birth date.
To know more about your baby’s zodiac sign, choose the period in which your baby’s date of birth falls, from the options given below. This will give you a glimpse into the world of astrology tailored for your baby.
Select your baby’s birthdate range
Mar 21 – Apr 19
Apr 20 – May 20
May 21 – Jun 20
Jun 21 – Jul 22
Jul 23 – Aug 22
Aug 23 – Sep 22
Sep 23 – Oct 22
Oct 23 – Nov 21
Nov 22 – Dec 21
Dec 22 – Jan 19
Jan 20 – Feb 18
Feb 19 – Mar 20
Ken’s Zodiac Sign And Birth Star As Per Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology, also called Jyotisha, provides deep insights into a person’s life based on celestial positions at birth. Rashi and nakshatra, which are an integral part of Jyotisha, are believed to influence an individual’s personality and life events. The following sections give you rashi-related information, such as the associated letters, elements, ruling body, quality, and nakshatra for the name Ken. These details help analyze a person’s characteristics, personality, and behavior.
Zodiac Sign (Rashi)
As shown in the following table, each rashi is associated with specific sounds, which are often used as the starting letters of names for newborns in Hindu families. Each rashi is represented by a figure and one of the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether (Space). One ruling celestial body, known as its 'rashi lord' or 'ruler' is assigned to these rashis. These bodies include Venus, Mars, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn. Furthermore, the rashis are assigned various qualities or gunas.
| Rashi (zodiac sign) | Mithun (Gemini) |
|---|---|
| Starting letters for Mithun (Gemini) rashi | K, CHH, GH, Q, C |
| Representation | Twins |
| Element | Air |
| Ruling body | Mercury |
| Quality | Dual (dvisvabhava) |
Birth Star (Nakshatra)
Another important aspect of Vedic Astrology is the nakshatras, the lunar constellations or star clusters that the Moon occupies during a person's birth. There are 27 nakshatras, each with its own unique qualities, attributes, and symbolism. Each rashi contains two-and-one-fourth nakshatras in it. For example, Aries contains Ashwini, Bharani, and Krithika nakshatras.
The below table provides information on the nakshatras’ degrees on the zodiac circle, their lords and related syllables, for babies born in the Mithun (Gemini) rashi. These syllables/phonetics are popularly used to choose the baby name. For precise nakshatra calculation based on your baby's birthplace and date, use our Nakshatra Calculator.
| Nakshatra | Degrees Of The Nakshatra | Nakshatra Lord (Ruler) | Name Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrigashira (Makayiram, Mrigasira) | Gemini (0 to 6.40 degrees) | Mars | Ve, Vo, Ka, Kaa, Ki, Kee, We, Wo |
| Ardra (Arudra, Thiruvadhirai) | Gemini (6.40 to 20 degrees) | Rahu | Ku, Kam, Ja, Cha, Gha, Da, Na, Jha |
| Punarvasu (Punartham, Punarpoosam) | Gemini (20 to 30 degrees) | Jupiter | Ke, Kay, Ko, Ha, Hi, Hee |
Ken Personality Traits As Per Numerology
The numerology belief system envisages a relationship between a name and numbers. The related numbers are believed to give insights into a person’s character. We have researched this area to connect the numerology-based characteristic traits to the letters of the English alphabet. And the results are fascinating.
Numerology followers believe that each letter signifies attributes that can influence a person’s attitude and approach. Among these placements, the most significant are the first letter (Cornerstone) and the last letter (Capstone) of a name. Cornerstone highlights your primary personality traits and explains how you face challenges and opportunities in life. Capstone can tell you about your approach to work and how you complete them. Often, a letter may be repeated twice or more in a name. This repetition signifies the intensification or amplification of the traits associated with the letter in an individual’s personality.
Read to know what characteristics the name Ken is known for in numerology. Here we have avoided repetition of letters and added them just once for a better reading experience.
KYou are intuitive, cooperative, and loyal. Your artistic side and friendly nature help you connect with others..
EYou may be suitable for financial, legal, and public work. However, a repetition of these letters more than seven times can indicate frivolity.
NYou can be quite opinionated, but you love adding your own touch to a project. You also don't hide from public view and embrace compliance.
Infographic: Know The Name Ken‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Ken In Different Languages
It’s exciting to see our baby’s name spelled and written in various languages. See how people spell Ken in Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more! Each language has its own way of saying Ken, but it’s still the same special name. Learn how the name looks and sounds in different languages around the world!
| Name | Language | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Ken | English | en |
| 肯 | Chinese | zh-CN |
| केन | Hindi | hi |
| Ken | Spanish | es |
| Ken | French | fr |
| كين | Arabic | ar |
| কেন | Bengali | bn |
| Ken | Portuguese | pt |
| Кен | Russian | ru |
| کین | Urdu | ur |
| Ken | Indonesian | id |
| Ken | German | de |
| ケン | Japanese | ja |
| केन | Marathi | mr |
| కెన్ | Telugu | te |
| Ken | Turkish | tr |
| கென் | Tamil | ta |
| Ken | Vietnamese | vi |
| Ken | Tagalog | tl |
| 시야 | Korean | ko |
| Ken | Hausa | ha |
| Ken | Swahili | sw |
| Ken | Javanese | jv |
| Ken | Italian | it |
| ਕੇਨ | Punjabi | pa |
| કેન | Gujarati | gu |
| เคน | Thai | th |
| ಕೆನ್ | Kannada | kn |
| ኬን | Amharic | am |
| केन | Bhojpuri | bho |
| Ken | Yoruba | yo |
Ken In Fancy Fonts
Visualize your little one’s name in different captivating fonts. You can use these fancy styles on birth announcement cards, nursery decorations, personalized gifts, to name a few. Select the perfect font from these options for a touch of personalization.
- Double Struck Font𝕂 𝕖 𝕟
- Bold Script Font𝓚 𝓮 𝓷
- Fancy Style 35 Fontκ ε η
- Fancy Style 7 FontҜ € Ň
- Love FontK♥ e♥ n♥
- Black Square Font🅺 🅴 🅽
- Hand Writing 2 FontK ҽ ɳ
- X Above Bellow FontK͓̽ e͓̽ n͓̽
Liked our fancy fonts for Ken? Why not go a step forward with these beautiful posters? They are perfect to download and use as display pictures or social media posts! You may also use them as part of decorating your child’s room. These personalized wallpapers celebrate the positive vibes of the name, offering a unique way to show how much this name means to you. What’s more! You have multiple options here to choose depending on your mood or occasion.
Ken 3D Wallpaper
Download
ShareKen Birthday Wallpaper
Download‘I Love Ken’ Wallpaper
DownloadStylish Ken Wallpaper
DownloadKen Name Initial Wallpaper
DownloadHow To Communicate The Name Ken In Sign Languages
In Nautical Flags
Ken
In Sign Language
Ken
In Braille Alphabet
Ken
In Morse Code
Ken
In Barcode
In Binary
01001011 01100101 01101110
Name Numerology For Ken
Numerology is an occult system that gives significance to numbers and their influence on human life and destiny. Numerologists attribute specific qualities, energies, and characteristics to a number. Parents who believe in numerology prefer to choose baby names that resonate positively with the child’s unique numerical vibrations, often derived from their date of birth. Here we give a general birth number and personality traits of the name Ken, based on the Pythagorean (Western) system. This analysis will differ from child to child based on their date of birth. You may use our numerology calculator for more personalized information.
The name you give a child at birth is like their numerological DNA - it is a blueprint of who they are, their talents and character traits, their likes and dislikes, and much more. So choose carefully and, if possible, consider an ancestral name, especially one that belonged to an ancestor who did well and lived a good life. But consult a numerologist for more insight and perhaps a little fine-tuning by changing a letter or adding a middle name.
Baby Name Lists Containing Ken
Read through our baby name lists that include the name Ken and several other similar names. The wider the choice, the better your selection. Isn't it?
- Baby Boy Names With Meanings›
- Baby Boy Names That Start With Letter K›
- Japanese Baby Names With Meanings›
- Japanese Baby Names Starting With Letter K›
- Japanese Baby Boy Names, Starting With Letter K›
- Christianity Baby Names With Meanings›
- Christianity Baby Names Starting With Letter K›
- Christianity Baby Boy Names, Starting With Letter K›
- 163 Strong And Powerful Baby Boy Names With Meanings›
- 151 Majestic Baby Names That Mean Miracle Or Blessing›
Movie Titles Inspired By The Name Ken
Discover the presence of Ken in an array of films. Know about the various movies that have this name.
| Movie title | Other titles | Release year |
|---|---|---|
| Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell | Bên trong vo kén vàng, L'arbre aux papillons d'or, W żółtym kokonie | 2023 |
| Sparks - The Ken Sparks Story | Sparks: The Ken Sparks Story | 2022 |
| That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond | Gekijôban Tensei shitara slime datta ken, Lúc Đó Tôi Đã Chuyển Sinh Thành Slime: Mối Liên Kết Đỏ Thẫm, Meine Wiedergeburt als Schleim in einer anderen Welt - Feuerrote Bande, Moi, quand je me réincarne en Slime, le film : Scarlet Bond, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bonds, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: EL Vinculo Escarlata, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: The Movie - Scarlet Bond, That Time I Got Reincarnated It's a Slime the Movie, The Time I Reincarnated as a Slime, О моём перерождении в слизь. Фильм, 劇場版 転生したらスライムだった件, 劇場版 關於我轉生變成史萊姆這檔事 紅蓮之絆篇, 關於我轉生變成史萊姆這檔事劇場版 紅蓮之絆篇 | 2022 |
| Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai | Moeyo Ken, 타올라라 검, 燃えよ剣, 燃燒的劍 | 2021 |
| Thicker Than Water | Ken'en, 犬猿 | 2018 |
| Hitozuma dragon: Nando mo shôten ken | 人妻ドラゴン 何度も昇天拳 | 2017 |
| Ken Foster | 2016 | |
| How to Make a Ken Loach Film | 2016 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Ken?
The name Ken means ‘intelligent.’
2. What is the origin of the name Ken?
Ken has Japanese and Scottish origins.
3. How to pronounce the name Ken?
Ken is pronounced as ken.
4. What are some middle names that go well with Ken?
You can use a variety of middle names for Ken. Experiment with names of varying syllables that look good with this first name. You can consider Everett, meaning wild boar, Adriel, meaning God is my lord, Truman, meaning faithful man, Chancey, a contraction of chancellor, and Collier, meaning coal miner.
5. What is the cultural significance of the name Ken in different countries?
The name Ken has significance across different cultures. For instance, in Japanese, Ken translates to healthy or strong. But in English, it is a short form of Kenneth, a Gaelic name meaning handsome or born of fire. Another possible meaning of this name in English is a royal obligation.
6. Is Ken a traditional name or a modern name?
Ken can be regarded as both traditional and modern. It is popularly used as a pet form of longer names like Kenneth, Kendall, and Kenndey. The name is most common among the Asian/Pacific Islander population. Its association with the iconic Barbie doll also gives it a timeless appeal.
7. Is Ken a common name in a specific country or region?
References
- Astrology, Hermes (2023); Astrology for Beginners.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370635414_Astrology_for_Beginners - Shirley Lawrence; The Secret Science of Numerology: The Hidden Meaning of Numbers and Letters.
https://www.academia.edu/97492675/The_Secret_Science_of_Numerology_The_Hidden_Meaning_of_Numbers_and_Letters_Shirley_Lawrence&nav_from=a3c5c3fd-555f-4584-b66d-4a3c8023402e&rw_pos=0 - Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia; “zodiac”; Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/zodiac - P.V.R. Narasimha Rao; Vedic Astrology: An Integrated Approach.
https://www.vedicastrologer.org/articles/vedic_astro_textbook.pdf - Paulo Martins; A Concise History of Hindu Astrology and Indian Spirituality; Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
https://www.saspublishers.com/media/articles/SJAHSS_112_33-36_FT_MAEgJAB.pdf - International Phonetic Association.
https://www.internationalphoneticassociation.org/ - Adam Szczegielniak; Phonetics: The Sounds of Language; Harvard University.
https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/adam/files/phonetics.ppt.pdf - Lalita K. Wani et al; Review of Scientific Analysis Of Sacred Sound OM (AUM); Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Novermber 2020.
https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2011207.pdf
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
