Declining since 2020, #903 for boys today.
Popularity of Kannon since 1972
Babies named Kannon per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 11 |
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 139 |
| 2000s | 901 |
| 2010s | 2,786 |
| 2020s | 2,197 |
Meaning & origin
Kannon first entered U.S. birth records in 1972, but it remained extremely rare for decades. Its trajectory shifted in the 2000s and 2010s, when parents increasingly turned to surnames and inventive spellings for boys' names. Kannon's peak came in 2020, when it reached its highest rank; since then it has been declining, reflecting a broader pattern of modern coinages that rise and fall quickly. Top states for Kannon include Mississippi, West Virginia, and Louisiana, suggesting a particular concentration in the South and Appalachia. With a current 1-in-6,495 rate, Kannon remains uncommon but recognizable, likely bolstered by its phonetic similarity to popular names like Cannon and Mason.
Kannon is a modern invented name, likely formed by altering the spelling of the surname or occupational name Cannon. It may also be influenced by the Japanese Buddhist deity Kannon, but that connection is not directly supported by U.S. usage data. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1972 and gained modest popularity in the early 21st century.
Where Kannon is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kan, Kanny
Variants: Cannon
Sibling names for Kannon
Names that share Kannon's style, for a brother or sister.
