Canek first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Canek has been for the last 14 years (from 2008 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Canek

A masculine name of Mayan origin meaning "snake of four winds".

Popularity of Canek by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Canek is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Canek.

Year Male Count Female Count
2021 5 0
2020 9 0
2019 17 0
2018 8 0
2017 5 0
2014 5 0
2008 7 0

The history of the first name Canek

The name Canek has its origins in the ancient Maya civilization of Mesoamerica, which flourished between the 3rd and 9th centuries CE. It is derived from the Maya word "caanec," which means "sky serpent" or "celestial serpent," a revered symbol in Maya mythology and cosmology.

In the Maya belief system, the sky serpent was a powerful and sacred entity associated with fertility, rain, and the cycles of the heavenly bodies. The name Canek was likely bestowed upon individuals with a spiritual or ritualistic connection to this mythological figure.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Canek can be found in the Maya codices, ancient books written by Maya scribes that documented their history, astronomy, and religious beliefs. The name appears in various hieroglyphic inscriptions and is often associated with prominent figures or rulers.

One notable historical figure who bore the name Canek was a Maya ruler of the city-state of Motul in the 16th century. He played a significant role in the resistance against the Spanish conquistadors during the early stages of the Spanish conquest of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Another individual named Canek was a Maya scholar and philosopher who lived in the 17th century. He is renowned for his contributions to preserving and documenting Maya cultural knowledge and traditions during a time when the Maya civilization was under threat from Spanish colonization.

In the 19th century, a Maya rebel leader named Canek led an uprising against the Mexican government in the Yucatán Peninsula, seeking to protect Maya lands and rights. His rebellion, known as the Caste War of Yucatán, lasted from 1847 to 1901 and was one of the longest-running conflicts in Mexico's history.

During the 20th century, the name Canek gained popularity among Maya communities as a way to honor their cultural heritage and traditions. One notable figure was Canek Navarro, a Maya activist and leader who fought for the rights and recognition of indigenous people in Mexico.

Throughout its history, the name Canek has been deeply rooted in Maya culture and mythology, symbolizing a connection to the celestial realm, fertility, and the cycles of nature. It has been borne by rulers, scholars, rebels, and activists, each embodying the spirit and resilience of the Maya people.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Canek was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Canek, please contact us.

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"Canek first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/canek-meaning-and-history/.

"Canek first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/canek-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 26 June, 2025

Canek first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/canek-meaning-and-history/.

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