Keren
A girl's name of Hebrew origin with 4,946 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A city, the capital of the Anseba Region, Eritrea.
Keren is a girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'horn' or 'ray of light.' In the Bible, Keren-happuch was one of the three daughters of Job — the most beautiful women in all the land. The name also has an independent feminine identity in modern Israel.
EtymologyShow more
Keren is built from 5 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Hebrew naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Keren creates its characteristic clean, contemporary quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Keren was #1815 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2174, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 595 | #1815 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,301 | #1668 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 1,153 | #1743 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 685 | #2059 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 470 | #2237 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 355 | #2540 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 196 | #3240 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 132 | #3401 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 54 | #3740 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 5 | #4586 | — |
The Story of Keren
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2019, Keren is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Keren are most likely born between 2009 and 2024.
How rare is Keren?
Only about 1 in every 41,379 babies born in 2024 was named Keren — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1939, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 1,301 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Keren by the numbers
- Would fill 103 school buses
- Meeting one Keren per day would take 13.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(82 years, 1939–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 87 | #2174 |
| 2023 | 100 | #1972 |
| 2022 | 92 | #2097 |
| 2021 | 132 | #1594 |
| 2020 | 184 | #1240 |
| 2019 | 189 | #1240 |
| 2018 | 128 | #1653 |
| 2017 | 105 | #1924 |
| 2016 | 133 | #1640 |
| 2015 | 121 | #1736 |
| 2014 | 113 | #1809 |
| 2013 | 113 | #1812 |
| 2012 | 122 | #1711 |
| 2011 | 141 | #1559 |
| 2010 | 136 | #1598 |
| 2009 | 134 | #1669 |
| 2008 | 157 | #1491 |
| 2007 | 121 | #1776 |
| 2006 | 124 | #1695 |
| 2005 | 102 | #1899 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keren a boy's or girl's name?
When was Keren most popular?
How popular is the name Keren?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1939–2024