Kane first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kane has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kane

A masculine name of Hawaiian origin meaning "a man of strength and authority".

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 2024, there were 731 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kane.

YearMale CountFemale Count
20247310
20237920
20229075
20219970
20209600
20191,0007
20181,0540
20179440
20167940
20157160
20145950
20134860
20124770
20115110
20104490
20095360
20086540
20073810
20063110
20052820
20042760
20032750
20023040
20013220
20003330
19993230
19983500
19972590
19962540
19952590
19942760
19932016
19921180
19911020
19901115
19891020
19881080
1987950
1986880
1985688
1984470
1983630
1982605
1981570
1980470
1979520
1978480
1977590
1976450
1975430

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.

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