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

Popularity of Kenan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kenan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Kenan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 143 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kenan.

The history of the first name Kenan

The name Kenan has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew name "Qenan," which means "to acquire" or "to possess." This name finds its earliest mention in the Book of Genesis, where Kenan is listed as one of the descendants of Adam.

In the biblical narrative, Kenan was the son of Enosh and the father of Mahalalel. He lived during the antediluvian period, before the great flood described in the book of Genesis. The name Kenan is also found in other ancient texts, such as the Book of Jubilees, an ancient Jewish text from the 2nd century BCE.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Kenan can be found in the Septuagint, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, which dates back to the 3rd century BCE. In this translation, the name is rendered as "Kainan."

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kenan. One of the most famous was Kenan the Philosopher (c. 215-275 CE), a Neoplatonist philosopher from Emesa, Syria. He was a significant figure in the development of Neoplatonist thought and was a teacher of the renowned philosopher Porphyry.

Another prominent figure was Kenan Evren (1917-2015), a Turkish military officer and politician who served as the seventh President of Turkey from 1980 to 1989. He played a pivotal role in the 1980 Turkish coup d'état, which led to his presidency.

In the literary world, Kenan Malik (born 1962) is a renowned British writer, lecturer, and broadcaster. He has authored several books on topics such as race, religion, and science, and is known for his critical analysis of multiculturalism and identity politics.

Kenan Thompson (born 1978) is an American actor and comedian, best known for his long-running tenure on the sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live." He has been a cast member since 2003 and is currently the longest-serving cast member in the show's history.

Lastly, Kenan Doğulu (born 1974) is a Turkish singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has released several successful albums and is considered one of the most popular and influential figures in the Turkish music industry.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Kenan throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and 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 Kenan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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