Find out how popular the first name Kanin has been for the last 38 years (from 1986 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kanin by gender

Based on the last 38 years of data, Kanin is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kanin.

The history of the first name Kanin

The name Kanin traces its origins to the Old Norse language, spoken by the Germanic tribes that inhabited Scandinavia during the 8th to 13th centuries. The name is believed to be derived from the Old Norse word "kannr," which means "chalice" or "cup." This association suggests that the name may have been originally given to individuals who worked as cup-bearers or had some connection to the production or serving of drinks.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kanin can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of literary works from the 13th and 14th centuries that recount the lives and adventures of the Norse settlers in Iceland. In the Saga of Grettir the Strong, written in the early 13th century, a character named Kanin is mentioned as a farmer and landowner in the Skagafjörður region of northern Iceland.

The name Kanin gained wider recognition in the 16th and 17th centuries, during the Protestant Reformation in Europe. Kanin Gottfredsson (1530-1597) was a Danish theologian and reformer who played a significant role in establishing Lutheranism in Denmark. He is known for translating the Bible into Danish and for his efforts in promoting education and literacy among the common people.

In the 18th century, Kanin Eriksson (1701-1768) was a Swedish botanist and explorer who accompanied the renowned naturalist Carl Linnaeus on several expeditions to Lapland. Eriksson made valuable contributions to the study of the flora and fauna of northern Scandinavia, and his field notes and illustrations were used by Linnaeus in his groundbreaking works on plant classification.

Moving into the 19th century, Kanin Thomsen (1819-1876) was a Norwegian painter and printmaker who is celebrated for his depictions of Norwegian landscapes and rural life. His works, characterized by their realistic and detailed rendering of nature, played a significant role in the development of the Norwegian romantic nationalist movement in art.

Another notable figure with the name Kanin is Kanin Björnsson (1871-1949), an Icelandic politician and diplomat who served as the first Minister of Foreign Affairs for Iceland after the country gained independence from Denmark in 1918. Björnsson played a crucial role in establishing Iceland's diplomatic relations with other nations and in securing its recognition as a sovereign state.

These are just a few examples of the individuals who have carried the name Kanin throughout history, each contributing to their respective fields and leaving a lasting impact on their communities and societies.

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

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

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