Declining since 2001, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Kagan since 1978
Babies named Kagan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 6 | 42 |
| 1990s | 22 | 135 |
| 2000s | 31 | 260 |
| 2010s | 14 | 165 |
| 2020s | 0 | 44 |
Meaning & origin
Kagan is a rare Turkish name that carries the powerful meaning of 'ruler' or 'king'. It was first recorded in the United States in 1978, and its peak popularity came in 2001, with a rank of 12,008 in 2025. The name has been falling in use since that peak. In 2025, approximately 1 in 341,615 births received this name, indicating its uncommon status. The name is typically masculine and has not appeared in the top 1000 list in recent decades.
Kagan is derived from the Turkish word 'kağan', a historical title meaning 'emperor' or 'supreme ruler', used by ancient Turkic and Mongol leaders. Its modern use as a given name is rare and revivalist in nature.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Kaan, Kağan
Sibling names for Kagan
Names that share Kagan's style, for a brother or sister.
