Kern Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Kern has its origins in Old English, meaning 'child' or 'small.' It has evolved from Cyrne in Old English through Middle English to its modern form. The name is associated with traits of strength and resilience and has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity as both a surname and a given name in the Middle Ages and has variants like Kernan and Kearney.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Kern"
Pronunciation
/kɜrn/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Kern is derived from the Old English word 'cyrne,' which means 'a small or young child.' It may also relate to the Old Irish word 'cairn,' meaning 'a mound of stones.'
Meaning
child, small
Language Evolution
Old English: Cyrne, Middle English: Kern, Modern English: Kern
Historical Usage
The name Kern gained popularity in the Middle Ages as a surname and later became used as a given name in various cultures.
Variants & Derivatives
Kernan, Kearney, Kieran
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Kern is viewed as a unique and traditional name, often associated with strength and resilience.
Famous People
Kern County, California, named after the name, Kern James, a notable figure in local history
📊 Kern Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Kern Name Visualizations
✨ Kern Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 21 peak births in 1952
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in New York
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Kern"
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 "Kern"
"Kern" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3431st of 7545 | 92 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3013th of 6773 | 116 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2143rd of 7552 | 273 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3339th of 10718 | 150 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7061st of 16616 | 76 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 14114th of 24088 | 37 |
Regional Popularity of "Kern" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - |
60.61% 1682nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
63.82% 2223rd/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Kern" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Kern"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Kern" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Kern" in the United States
The name Kern is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Kern has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Kern' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3431st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3013th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2143rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3339th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7061st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 14114th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Kern' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.