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Cohan

Boy name · 24 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Cohan: 24 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 2009.

Of Irish and Scottish Gaelic origin, Cohan is a variant of the surname Cowan, itself an anglicised form of the Gaelic *Mac Comhdhain*, meaning "son of the little hound" or "little warrior." The name shares its root with the more common surname Cohen, though it is etymologically distinct from the Hebrew priestly name. Famous bearers include the American actor Cohan Chodos, though the name is most widely recognised through the surname of legendary composer and entertainer George M. Cohan, who wrote "Yankee Doodle Dandy." There are no major place connections, but the name's similarity to "Cohan" as a variant of "Cowan" links it to the Scottish Cowan family name, which has deep roots in Ayrshire. A notable variant is the Irish spelling "Cohane," while the name also shares a sound with the Hebrew "Cohen," though the two are unrelated.