Kyōn is a name of Japanese origin, derived from the kanji characters 京 and 猿. The first character, 京, means "capital" or "metropolis," while the second character, 猿, signifies "monkey." Thus, Kyōn can be translated as "capital monkey."
The history behind this name is not widely documented, but it is believed to have originated from a legendary figure in Japanese folklore known as Sun Wukong, also called the Monkey King. According to the classic novel "Journey to the West," Sun Wukong was born from a stone and possessed immense strength and supernatural abilities. He later became a disciple of the monk Tang Sanzang on his journey to retrieve Buddhist scriptures.
In some versions of the story, Sun Wukong is said to have been brought up in the Flower Fruit Mountain (Hualin Mountains), which could be associated with the character 猿 used in Kyōn's name. However, this connection remains unconfirmed, and the true origins of Kyōn as a given name are uncertain.
Today, Kyōn is still predominantly found in Japan but has gained some international recognition due to its unique sound and meaning. As a unisex name, it adds an exotic touch while maintaining a familiar feel for those who appreciate Japanese culture and folklore. Despite its association with the Monkey King, there are no specific celebrations or traditions tied to the name Kyōn, making it versatile for parents looking for a distinctive choice without any cultural commitments.
The name Kyon has been given to a total of 792 babies born in the United States between 1976 and 2023. While it was not particularly popular during the early years, with only 5 births recorded each year from 1976 to 1985, its popularity began to grow in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
From 1990 to 1993, there were consistently around 10 babies named Kyon each year. However, it was not until the year 2004 that the name really started to take off, with a significant increase in popularity, reaching a peak of 51 births in 2016.
Since then, the popularity of the name has fluctuated, but it remains relatively common, with around 30 babies named Kyon each year from 2020 to 2023. Overall, these statistics show that while the name Kyon may not have been particularly popular in the past, it has gained significant traction in recent years and continues to be a commonly chosen name for newborns in the United States.