Konan

“A place name meaning 'small wave'”

Japan origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#5362US 2023

18Births / yr

↑Rising

64All-time births

📅 Since 197200

How to pronounce Konan

KOH·NAN

/ˈkoʊ.ˈnæn/ · stress on KOH · 2 syllables

“A place name meaning 'small wave'”

Japan origin · Boy name

What does Konan mean and where does it come from?

The name Konan can have Japanese origins, where it may refer to geographic locations characterized by waves. It is also an Irish variant of the name Conan, which means 'little wolf.' The name has gained popularity through various media, including anime and games such as 'Naruto.' Its use is becoming

Cultural significance

Konan has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Japan-speaking communities, where it reflects values of a place name meaning 'small wave'.

Peak popularity

Reached #5681 in 1972 — currently #5362 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Konan?

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

Konan Grace

How popular is Konan right now?

Rising fast — up 979 spots — currently #5362 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2015–2023#5362 · Top 4.0%

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#5362	18	▲ up 979 · +29% births
2022	#6341	14	▼ down 434 · -7% births
2021	#5907	15	▲ up 3817 · +114% births
2020	#9724	7	▲ up 1234 · +17% births
2015	#10958	6	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Konan

Best Year2023Rank #5362

Peak Count18

Average Rank#7658

Current Trend→Stable

Data Range2015 - 20235 years

The story of Konan

Konan is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1972. With 64 total births recorded, Konan remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #10958 in 2015 to #5362 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Konan in 1972:

Michael Christopher James David John

Konan by decade

Konan peaked in the 1970s. See all 1970s names →

Decade	Births
1970s	5
1990s	5
2000s	8
2010s ★	39
2020s	7

💎Konan has only 64 total recorded births since 1972 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Konan?

Common

KonKonieKony

What names sound and feel like Konan?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Konan also consider these

Koan

Japan · public case

Ronan

Ireland · little seal

Kohan

Hebrew · Priest; one who

Lonan

Irish · Light; a descendant

Kona

Hawaiian-speaking regions · the place of

Kodan

Japanese · Turtle, wisdom

Common questions about the name Konan

What does the name Konan mean?

Konan means "A place name meaning 'small wave'" — a name rooted in Japan 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 Konan?

Konan is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Konan have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Konan?

Konan originates from Japan tradition. Japan names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Konan?

Konan is a two-syllable name pronounced K OW1 N AE1 N. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Konan trending right now?

Konan is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.