US Popularity Rank: 6960

Origin: Japanese

Meaning: Handsome, fair; Born of fire; Healthy, strong; Intelligence; Sword

Drawn to this name's glowing Kenergy? You wouldn’t be the first! As a short form of Kenneth, Ken is a masculine name of Gaelic origin but holds a place in Japanese, too. Immortalized as Barbie’s heartthrob of a leading man, Ken lives up to its vibrant reputation with its Irish and Scottish meanings: “born of fire,” “handsome,” and “fair.” Ken is also a Japanese name that can be written with different kanji, bearing meanings like “healthy,” “strong,” “intelligence,” and “sword,” to list a few. In just three letters, Ken encapsulates a stellar personality—Kenough for any rising star brave enough to be true to themselves.