Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Cohen
BoyHebrew· “priest”
- Meaning
- priest
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- KOH-uhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #225
- US babies 2025
- 1,590
- Best rank
- #225 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Cohen
Cohen is a Hebrew name that means “priest”.
Cohen is a Jewish surname from the Hebrew kohen, meaning priest. In Jewish tradition it marks descent from Aaron, brother of Moses, and the priestly families who served in the Temple in Jerusalem. The surname is among the most common Jewish family names, and it was borne by figures such as the songwriter Leonard Cohen. As a first name Cohen is a recent choice in the United States, where it is appreciated for its soft sound and similarity to names like Owen and Colin. Families with a Jewish background may weigh its traditional surname associations when choosing it.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kohen.
Popularity over time
Cohen first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 22 different years, starting in 2004. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #225, and its highest count, 1,590 babies. Use has grown 56% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #3,265 in 1920, #1,898 in 2000, #360 in 2010, and #225 in 2025. Of the 23,040 US boys named Cohen since records began, 43% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 8,118 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kairo, Callahan, Baker, Ismael, and Malakai.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cohen ranked highest in West Virginia, Arkansas, and Alabama.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #49 | 30 |
| Arkansas | #82 | 38 |
| Alabama | #95 | 55 |
| Oklahoma | #98 | 45 |
| Wyoming | #99 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Cohen over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Cohen is usually pronounced KOH-uhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kohen.
Middle names for Cohen
A few middle names that flow with Cohen: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cohen
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Lists that include Cohen
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cohen mean?
Cohen is a Hebrew name that means “priest”.
What is the origin of the name Cohen?
Cohen has Hebrew roots. Cohen is a Jewish surname from the Hebrew kohen, meaning priest.
Is Cohen a popular name?
Yes. Cohen ranked #225 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Cohen a boy or girl name?
Cohen is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Cohen over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Cohen?
Cohen is usually pronounced KOH-uhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings