Rising since 2000, #1,108 for boys today.
Popularity of Kanan since 1991
Babies named Kanan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 77 |
| 2000s | 112 |
| 2010s | 553 |
| 2020s | 1,067 |
Meaning & origin
Kanan is a modern American name that first appeared in Social Security records in 1991. Since 2000, it has been on a consistent upward trajectory, reaching its highest rank of 1108 in 2025. That year, the name had a 1-in-8805 likelihood of being chosen for a newborn boy. Its peak year of popularity so far was 2022, and it remains most common in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana. The name's structure fits a broader pattern of trendy 'K-' names with an '-an' ending, but it does not carry a known etymological meaning.
Kanan first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1991. Its rise in popularity in the 2000s and 2010s may reflect the general trend for names starting with 'K' and ending with '-an'. There is no clear evidence of derivation from any prior name or language; it is considered a modern invention, possibly influenced by the biblical place name Canaan.
Where Kanan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kanan” around the world
Where Kanan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Kanan
Names that share Kanan's style, for a brother or sister.
