Kohen is a name of Hebrew origin that has been used for centuries to denote individuals who are part of the priestly caste in Judaism. The name itself comes from the Hebrew word "kohen," which means "priest." In Jewish tradition, Kohens are considered to be descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first High Priest.
The history of the Kohen surname is deeply rooted in ancient Jewish culture. According to biblical accounts, when Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, he appointed his brother Aaron as the High Priest. From that point forward, Aaron's descendants became known as Kohens, and they were responsible for performing various religious duties within the Temple in Jerusalem.
Over time, the Kohen name and its associated responsibilities evolved with the Jewish community. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, Kohens continued to serve important roles in Jewish life, such as teaching Torah, leading prayer services, and performing other ritual functions. Today, many Jews around the world carry on these traditions, often referring to themselves as "Cohens" or "Kohanim."
Despite its religious connotations, the Kohen name has also spread beyond strictly Jewish circles and can be found among individuals of various faiths and backgrounds today. Regardless of their beliefs, those who bear this name share a unique connection to ancient history and cultural heritage that spans thousands of years.
Based on the statistics provided, it's clear that the name Kohen has gained significant popularity in the United States over the past two decades. Starting with only 6 births each in 1996 and 1998, the number of babies named Kohen began to steadily increase, reaching double digits by the year 2000.
The trend continued upwards throughout the 2000s, with a notable spike occurring between 2004 and 2005. During this period, the number of births increased from 59 in 2004 to 113 in 2005, marking a significant jump in popularity.
The name Kohen maintained its upward trajectory throughout the 2010s, with more than 200 babies being named Kohen each year starting from 2008. The decade closed out with an impressive 425 births in both 2018 and 2019.
The most recent data shows that this upward trend has not only continued but has accelerated even further into the 2020s. In 2020, there were 473 births, and this number more than doubled to 645 in 2021. Most recently, in 2022, there were a staggering 837 births for the name Kohen.
Overall, since 1996, there have been a total of 6172 babies named Kohen born in the United States. This impressive figure is a testament to the growing popularity of this unique and distinctive name among American parents.