Canaan
Taken (at least as early as Wycliffe's Bible, 1382-1395, which has Chanaan) from Ecclesiastical Latin Chanaān, from Ancient Greek Χαναάν (Khanaán), expanded from Χνᾶ…
Every Canaan since 1973 — 6,167 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Canaan
Canaan is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,044 in 2025 with 212 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1973, 6,167 American babies have been named Canaan — about 95% boys and 5% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2016, when 385 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Canaan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Canaan year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | #13,520 | 212 | #1,044 |
| 2024 | — | — | 201 | #1,082 |
| 2023 | 10 | #9,751 | 190 | #1,112 |
| 2022 | 5 | #15,759 | 236 | #960 |
| 2021 | 7 | #12,463 | 236 | #954 |
| 2020 | — | — | 231 | #950 |
| 2019 | 9 | #10,637 | 265 | #846 |
| 2018 | 16 | #7,169 | 270 | #828 |
| 2017 | 7 | #12,982 | 318 | #745 |
| 2016 | — | — | 385 | #671 |
| 2015 | 13 | #8,556 | 285 | #806 |
| 2014 | 12 | #9,093 | 180 | #1,074 |
| 2013 | 7 | #13,446 | 149 | #1,205 |
| 2012 | 14 | #8,301 | 172 | #1,085 |
| 2011 | 6 | #15,198 | 159 | #1,137 |
| 2010 | 19 | #6,701 | 163 | #1,139 |
| 2009 | 16 | #7,750 | 146 | #1,228 |
| 2008 | 11 | #10,216 | 150 | #1,182 |
| 2007 | 7 | #14,200 | 137 | #1,278 |
| 2006 | 9 | #11,621 | 161 | #1,092 |
| 2005 | 5 | #16,968 | 126 | #1,253 |
| 2004 | 8 | #11,814 | 118 | #1,273 |
| 2003 | 14 | #7,663 | 119 | #1,224 |
| 2002 | 9 | #10,388 | 99 | #1,333 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,496 | 108 | #1,231 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,042 | 93 | #1,362 |
| 1995 | 8 | #9,710 | 52 | #1,710 |
| 1990 | — | — | 52 | #1,590 |
| 1985 | — | — | 16 | #2,960 |
| 1980 | 5 | #10,587 | 15 | #2,980 |
| 1975 | — | — | 10 | #3,468 |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Canaan
- Canaan Religious figure
- Canaan Banana Politician · 1936–2003
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Canaan mean?
Taken (at least as early as Wycliffe's Bible, 1382-1395, which has Chanaan) from Ecclesiastical Latin Chanaān, from Ancient Greek Χαναάν (Khanaán), expanded from Χνᾶ (Khnâ), from Biblical Hebrew כְּנַעַן (kanáʕan).
How popular is the name Canaan in 2025?
Canaan ranked #1,044 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 212 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Canaan?
6,167 babies have been named Canaan in the United States since 1973, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Canaan most popular?
Canaan peaked in 2016, when 385 newborns received the name.
Is Canaan a boy or girl name?
Canaan is used for both: about 5% of babies named Canaan have been girls and 95% boys.
Is the name Canaan rising or falling?
Canaan has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Canaan?
Well-known people named Canaan include Canaan (religious figure), Canaan Banana (politician).