Håkan

high or exalted
Old Norse origin · Boy name
97% boys3% girls
#1658US 2023
10Births / yr
Stable
Top 1.2%Percentile
How to pronounce Håkan
hok-ahn
/hok-ahn/ · · 1 syllable
high or exalted
Old Norse origin · Boy name

What does Håkan mean and where does it come from?

Håkan derives from the Old Norse name Hákon, composed of the elements 'há' meaning 'high' and 'konr' meaning 'descendant' or 'kin'.

Cultural significance
The name Håkan has historical significance in Scandinavia, often associated with kings and nobility.
Peak popularity
Reached #1658 in 2015 — currently #1658 in the US.
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Related Reading
Old Norse-origin baby names with timeless appeal
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How else can you spell Håkan?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

What middle names flow best with Håkan?

Håkan works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Håkan Jack
One syllable · timeless choice
Håkan John
One syllable · timeless choice
Håkan Luke
One syllable · timeless choice
Håkan Miles
One syllable · vintage charm
Håkan Beau
One syllable · on the rise
Håkan Brooks
One syllable · timeless choice
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Middle Names
The best middle names for Håkan
Browse ideas →

How popular is Håkan right now?

Holding steady — currently #1658 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 20192023#1658 · Top 1.2%
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
YearUS RankBirthsvs Prior Year
2023#165810stable
2022#165810stable
2021#165810stable
2020#165810stable
2019#165810
💎Håkan is exceptionally rare — it does not appear in US Social Security records, meaning fewer than 5 babies per year have received this name.

What are good nicknames for Håkan?

Common
HåkHåkanieHåkany

Famous people named Håkan

HH
Håkan Hellström
A popular Swedish singer-songwriter known for his influential music career.
HL
Håkan L. Nesser
A Swedish author known for his crime novels.
HA
Håkan Andersson
A Swedish former professional football player.
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Celebrity Names
What celebrities named their babies in 2025
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Common questions about the name Håkan

What does the name Håkan mean?
Håkan means "high or exalted" — a name rooted in Old Norse tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Håkan?
Håkan is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.
What is the cultural origin of Håkan?
Håkan originates from Old Norse tradition. Old Norse names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How does Håkan sound with different last names?
As a one-syllable name, Håkan flows best with last names of two or three syllables. Avoid last names ending in the same sound as Håkan ends, as this can create an unwanted rhyme. Test by saying the full name out loud several times.
Is Håkan more of a girl or boy name?
Håkan is primarily used as a boy name, giving it a clear, timeless character while remaining accessible to modern families.