Kanan
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Ancient, distant, enduring
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Popularity: Ranked #1109 in 2025 with 194 babies born.
History: Kanan surged in the 2020s. Star Wars Rebels' Kanan Jarrus brought the name to American attention. The Hindi meaning 'forest' adds natural depth. Kanan means sci-fi meeting Sanskrit.
Similar names: kaanan, kanaan, kanani, kannan, kaenan, kainan, kaynan, keanan
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Kanan? About 1 in 17,157 babies born in 2025 were named Kanan, or roughly 0.5 per day in the United States.
Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.
Loading name...
Frequently asked about Kanan
What does the name Kanan mean?
Kanan means “Ancient, distant, enduring” from Irish Gaelic roots.
What is the origin of the name Kanan?
Kanan has Irish Gaelic origin. The traditional meaning is “Ancient, distant, enduring”.
How popular is Kanan?
Kanan ranked #1108 in 2025 — given to 194 babies that year.
When was Kanan most popular?
Kanan peaked in 2022 with 225 babies registered that year.
Is Kanan a boy or girl name?
Kanan is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Kanans in registered births are male.
Is the name Kanan rising or falling in popularity?
Kanan has risen 490 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #1598 in 2020 to #1108 in 2025.
How long has Kanan been recorded?
Kanan appears in birth records across 35 years — from 1982 through 2025.