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Kenan

Boy name · 19 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kenan: 19 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 1998.

Kenan has roots in the Hebrew name קֵינָן (Qenan), meaning “possession” or “spear,” and appears in the Old Testament as a descendant of Seth and father of Mahalaleel. The best-known modern bearer is Kenan Thompson, the longest-running cast member of Saturday Night Live, beloved for his comedy and impressions. In Turkey, the name also carries historical weight through Kenan Evren, a former president. A notable biblical variant is Cainan, which appears in the genealogies of both Genesis and the Gospel of Luke. While no major place bears the name directly, its strong biblical presence gives it a quiet, enduring dignity—a classic choice that feels both timeless and approachable.

Boy 5 of 52 years

Peak year
19985 babies
Latest (2024)
#7273 babies
Total births
19since 1982
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1998 · 5
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).