Cohen

Meaning & origin

Cohen has seen a remarkable rise in popularity over the past few decades. First recorded in U.S. data in 1912, it remained rare for much of the 20th century. However, since 1986 its usage has climbed steadily, reaching a rank of 225 and a peak in 2025, with approximately 1 in 1,074 boys receiving the name. The name is most popular in West Virginia, Wyoming, and Vermont. While deeply rooted in Jewish tradition as a priestly surname, its adoption as a given name has sparked debate about cultural appropriation, yet it continues to gain traction among a diverse range of parents. Cohen's trajectory from a surname to a first name mirrors broader naming trends favoring name-surnames and unique choices.

Cohen derives from the Hebrew kōhēn, meaning 'priest'. In Jewish tradition, it designates descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who served as priests in the Temple. The surname Cohen has been used by Jewish families for centuries, and its adoption as a given name is a modern development, particularly in the United States since the 1990s.