Kellen is a unique and distinctive given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Cullen," which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Cuilinn." This Gaelic name means "descendant of Cullen" or "of Cullen's family," where Cullen itself comes from the word "cuileann," meaning "holly."
The name Kellen has a long and rich history in Ireland. It was originally a surname, but it has since evolved into a given name as well. In fact, Kellen is now more commonly used as a boy's name, although it can also be given to girls.
There are several notable people with the name Kellen throughout history. One of the most famous is Saint Kellen, who was an Irish monk and abbot in the 6th century. He is believed to have founded the monastery at Cell Kelan in Scotland. Another notable figure is Kellen Winslow II, a former American football tight end.
Despite its origins and historical significance, Kellen is not particularly popular as a given name today. It is still considered quite unique, making it an attractive choice for parents looking for something different for their child. Overall, the name Kellen has a strong Irish heritage and a fascinating history that continues to intrigue people around the world.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Kellen has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past seven decades in the United States.
From the 1950s to the early 1970s, the name Kellen was quite uncommon, with only 5-11 births per year during this period. However, starting from 1979, there was a notable increase in its popularity, with 44 births recorded that year.
The name's popularity peaked in the early 2000s, with over 800 births each year between 2008 and 2012. The highest number of Kellen births occurred in 2012, with 932 newborn boys sharing this name.
However, since then, the popularity of the name has been declining steadily. By 2021, there were only 271 births recorded for the name Kellen, and it continued to decrease to 250 in 2023.
In total, over the past seven decades, approximately 16,622 newborn boys have been named Kellen in the United States. Despite its fluctuations in popularity, Kellen remains a unique and distinctive name choice for parents.