Meaning & origin
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1990. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Kanaan through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,193
- 1,193 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2018
- 87 babies
- 2025
- 49
- #2,661 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −16%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 49 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 2,661 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 15.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 87 in 2018. In 2025, North Carolina had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 731 as a first name in 2020; 853 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Kanaan’s family of names
In Greek usage, Kanaan as a surname is a transliteration of Κάνααν. In Greek usage, Kanaan as a surname is a transliteration of Καναάν.
The ring: spellings.
Spellings & scripts 3
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Kanaan, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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