The name Ken is of Japanese origin and is a short form of the given name Kenneth or Kelvin. It has been popular in various parts of the world for decades and has been used by many notable figures.
Ken is derived from the Welsh name Cynwyl, which means "handsome." The name has been associated with several historical figures throughout history, including Kenelm, a martyr saint who was killed in the 9th century. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that Ken became popular as a given name.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Ken became associated with the Ken doll from the popular toy line Barbie. The doll was named after the founder of Mattel toys, Ruth Handler's son Kenneth. Since then, the name has been closely linked to this iconic toy character.
Today, Ken is still a popular given name in many parts of the world. It is often chosen for its short and simple sound, as well as its associations with strength and masculinity. Despite its origins in Welsh culture, Ken has become popular across different cultures and nationalities.
The name Ken has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century, with a significant increase in its usage during the mid-20th century.
Looking at the statistics from 1900 to 2023, we can see that the number of births with the name Ken varied greatly throughout the years. In the early 20th century, the name was given to an average of around 7 to 20 babies per year. However, starting in the late 1930s and continuing through the 1950s, there was a notable increase in the popularity of the name Ken, with over 1,000 births each year during this period.
The peak of popularity for the name Ken occurred in 1957 and 1958, when it reached its highest point with 1,532 and 1,653 births respectively. This was a significant jump from the previous years and marked the name as one of the most popular choices for boys during this time.
However, like many names, Ken's popularity has fluctuated over time. After reaching its peak in the mid-1950s, the number of babies named Ken began to decline steadily. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the number of births with the name Ken had dropped significantly, with fewer than 500 babies being given the name each year.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Ken has continued to decrease, with only 37 births recorded in 2023. This is a significant decline from its peak popularity over 60 years ago and indicates that the name Ken may now be considered more of a classic or traditional choice for parents.
Overall, the statistics show that while the name Ken has been popular at times throughout history, it has seen several periods of increased and decreased usage. Despite this fluctuation in popularity, the name Ken remains a well-established and recognized choice for boys' names in the United States.