Cohen is a name of Hebrew origin that has been used for centuries as both a surname and a given name. The name Cohen is derived from the Hebrew word "kohen," which means "priest." In Jewish culture, the Cohens are considered to be descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who was the first High Priest of the Israelites.
The surname Cohen has been widely used throughout history as a way to identify those of Jewish descent. It is estimated that around 70% of all Jews with an Ashkenazi background have the surname Cohen or one of its many variants such as Kane, Cohn, Kahn, and Kohn. This high prevalence of the name can be attributed to the fact that many Jews adopted the surname Cohen during the Middle Ages as a way to maintain their Jewish identity while living in non-Jewish communities.
The given name Cohen has also gained popularity in recent years, particularly among families of Jewish descent looking for unique yet meaningful names for their children. While it is still more commonly used as a surname, Cohen has become an increasingly popular choice for boys' names in countries such as the United States and Israel.
In summary, Cohen is a name with deep roots in Jewish history and culture. Its meaning as "priest" reflects its original use among the Cohens, who were considered to be descendants of Aaron. Today, Cohen is widely recognized as a surname of Jewish origin, but it has also begun to gain traction as a given name for boys.
The name Cohen has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century, according to the statistics of its usage as a birth name in the United States.
In the early 20th century, the number of births with the name Cohen was quite low and varied year by year. Between 1912 and 1931, there were only five births per year on average, with some years not recording any births named Cohen at all.
However, starting from the late 1980s, there was a notable surge in the number of newborns being named Cohen. In 1988, the number of births jumped to 13, and by 1997, it had reached an impressive 44 births. This upward trend continued into the new millennium, with over 500 births per year on average from 2000 onwards.
By 2023, the total number of births with the name Cohen in the United States had reached a staggering 19,954 since record-keeping began. This demonstrates that the name Cohen has become increasingly popular among American parents over time.
This steady growth in popularity could be attributed to various factors such as cultural trends, celebrity influence, or simply personal preferences of parents for unique and meaningful names for their children. Regardless of the reason behind this surge in popularity, it is clear that the name Cohen has established itself as a prominent choice among American families today.