Cohen Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Cohen originates from Hebrew, meaning 'priest'. It has evolved from the Hebrew 'Kohen' to its current form in English. The name is associated with the priestly class in Jewish culture, signifying a strong spiritual heritage. There is no specific biblical background tied to the name. Cohen has gained popularity as a surname in recent years and is perceived positively in modern contexts, with notable figures like Leonard Cohen and Sacha Baron Cohen contributing to its recognition.
The name Cohen is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Cohen has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Cohen' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3440th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4872nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5396th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8553rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4729th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 534th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 301st out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 16883rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5336th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Cohen' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Cohen"
Pronunciation
/ˈkoʊən/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Cohen derives from the Hebrew word 'kohen', which means 'priest'. It is traditionally associated with the priestly class in Jewish culture.
Meaning
priest
Language Evolution
Kohen (Hebrew), Cohen (English)
Historical Usage
The name Cohen has been used for centuries within Jewish communities, particularly among those who can trace their lineage to the ancient priestly class. Its popularity has increased in modern times as surnames have become more common.
Variants & Derivatives
Kohen, Cohn, Kahan
Modern Popularity & Image
Cohen is regarded as a distinguished name in Jewish culture, often associated with spirituality and leadership. It is recognized and respected in various communities.
Famous People
Leonard Cohen, Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Cohen
Explore More Cohen Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Cohen"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Cohen"
"Cohen" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3440th of 7545 | 91 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4872nd of 6773 | 27 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5396th of 7552 | 25 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8553rd of 10718 | 14 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4729th of 16616 | 157 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 534th of 24088 | 7,329 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 301st of 23106 | 13,801 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 16883rd of 35406 | 60 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 5336th of 30306 | 292 |
Regional Popularity of "Cohen" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
70.25% 1662nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
8.84% 405th/4582 |
17.53% 905th/5164 |
7.38% 540th/7313 |
7.25% 541st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
5.77% 230th/3984 |
12.66% 568th/4487 |
3.99% 272nd/6822 |
6.47% 406th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Cohen" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
65.11% 4442nd/6822 |
- |
State-by-State Popularity of "Cohen"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Cohen" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.