US Popularity Rank: 11094

Origin: Yiddish

Meaning: Warrior; Small person; Grain

Kern is a small but mighty name steeped with origins and rustic charm. This masculine title is a surname found in German, Yiddish, Jewish (Ashkenazic), and Dutch, meaning “grain,” often used as an occupational name for farmers. Kern was also applied as a nickname for a person who was considered petite. Hopping from mainland Europe to the Emerald Isle, Kern is a short form of the Irish surname Kerney, with the lively meaning “warrior.” Whether baby has a green thumb or the fierce spirit of a warrior, Kern is a worthy contender.