Find out how popular the first name Kane has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kane by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kane is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Kane being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 792 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kane.

The history of the first name Kane

The name Kane has its origins traced back to the Hawaiian language and culture. It is derived from the Hawaiian word "kane," which means "man" or "male." The name is believed to have been in use among the indigenous people of Hawaii for centuries before the arrival of European explorers and settlers.

In Hawaiian mythology, Kane was the name of one of the four major gods, representing the elemental force of life and creation. The god Kane was revered as the creator of the world and the source of all life. This association with a powerful deity likely contributed to the name's popularity and significance within Hawaiian culture.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Kane can be found in the ancient Hawaiian chants and oral traditions, which were passed down through generations. These chants often invoked the names of the Hawaiian gods, including Kane, and celebrated their roles in shaping the islands and the lives of the people.

While the name Kane has deep roots in Hawaiian culture, it has also been adopted and used in various parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries. Some notable historical figures with the name Kane include:

1. Robert John Kane (1842-1917), an American Civil War soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor.
2. Elisha Kent Kane (1820-1857), an American explorer who led two expeditions to the Arctic regions in search of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition.
3. Bob Kane (1915-1998), an American comic book writer and artist best known as the creator of the superhero Batman.
4. Citizen Kane (1941), the renowned film directed by Orson Welles, although the name "Kane" in this context was not a given name but rather a surname.
5. Kane Tanaka (born 1903), a Japanese supercentenarian who is currently the oldest living person in the world as of 2023.

It is worth noting that while the name Kane has Hawaiian origins, its usage has transcended cultural boundaries, and it has been adopted by individuals from various backgrounds, particularly in recent times. The name's association with strength, masculinity, and the natural world has likely contributed to its enduring appeal across different cultures.

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 Kane was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!