Explore the Family Name Ken
The meaning of Ken
1. English: habitational name from either of two places called Kenn, in Devon and Avon (Somerset), both of which take their name from the streams on which they stand. 2. English (of Norman origin): from Anglo-Norman French ken, chen, Old French chien ‘dog’ (from Latin canis), possibly applied as a nickname or as a metonymic occupational name for someone who kept hunting dogs. 3. Scottish: possibly a shortened form of Kenna. 4. In some cases possibly also an Americanized form of German Kenn.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Ken in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname "Ken" increased between 2000 and 2010. In the year 2000, the surname was ranked 45,403 in terms of popularity but rose to a rank of 40,144 by 2010, marking an 11.58% increase. The number of individuals with the surname also grew during this period by nearly 23%, from 444 to 546. This translated to a proportion per 100,000 people growth from 0.16 to 0.19, showing an 18.75% increase.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #45,403 | #40,144 | 11.58% |
| Count | 444 | 546 | 22.97% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.16 | 0.19 | 18.75% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Ken
When it comes to the ethnic identity associated with the surname "Ken", the Decennial U.S. Census data shows a diverse spread. By 2010, the largest group identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, making up 47.44%, a 10.27% increase from 2000. The proportion identifying as White decreased by 12.15% over the decade, coming down to 34.62%. The percentage identifying as Hispanic saw a significant rise of 121.37%, albeit from a small base, increasing to 5.49%. Those identifying as Black also saw an increase, moving from 8.11% to 9.16%. However, the count for those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native or as two or more races was suppressed for privacy reasons in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 43.02% | 47.44% | 10.27% |
| White | 39.41% | 34.62% | -12.15% |
| Black | 8.11% | 9.16% | 12.95% |
| Hispanic | 2.48% | 5.49% | 121.37% |
| Two or More Races | 5.63% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 1.35% | 0% | 0% |