Kohen
/ˈkoʊ.ən/
Kohen is a variant spelling of Cohen, which derives from the Hebrew כֹּהֵן (kohen) meaning “priest.” In Jewish tradition, the Kohanim are the priestly class descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses, who served in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The use of Cohen and its variants as a given name has been a subject of debate.
In Jewish communities, Cohen/Kohen is considered a sacred hereditary title rather than a personal name, and its adoption as a first name by non-Jewish families has drawn criticism from some religious authorities.
What the name Kohen means
Despite the controversy, Kohen has climbed rapidly in the US. In 2015, it ranked No. 786 with just 297 births. By 2024, it reached its all-time peak at No. 318 with 1,079 births, a nearly 4-fold increase in under a decade.
The growth has been remarkably consistent year over year: No. 667 in 2017, No. 478 in 2022, No. 380 in 2023, and No. 318 in 2024. The name has climbed without a single year of retreat during this stretch.
Kohen’s appeal may stem from its phonetic similarity to the popular name Owen, combined with a “K” opening that gives it a more distinctive sound. The alternate spelling also creates distance from the surname Cohen.
The name is used almost exclusively in the United States, where awareness of its religious significance varies widely. Its rapid ascent places it among the fastest-rising names on the current charts.
Kohen’s trajectory suggests it may continue climbing in the near term. However, the cultural sensitivity surrounding its origins makes it a name that carries more complexity than its pleasant sound might initially suggest.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Kohen
Kohen - similar names
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