Cohen

Priest, from Hebrew כֹּהֵן (kohen).

Cohen comes from the Hebrew word for “priest”, through the Jewish family name. It is also used as a masculine given name in English. The surname’s cultural history is central to understanding the name, alongside its short, flowing sound. In Jewish tradition, the Kohanim are the hereditary priestly group descended from Aaron. Their connection with Temple service and continuing religious roles gives Cohen a significance that remains part of Jewish life. A surname alone does not establish priestly ancestry, and choosing Cohen as a first name does not establish it either. In the English pronunciation, a firm k opens into a rounded vowel and an unstressed ending. That balance can make Cohen feel gentle and contemporary. If its sound appeals to you, the specific family and religious meaning is an equally important part of the name to consider.

Etymology: An English given name taken from the Jewish surname Cohen. The surname comes from Hebrew kohen, “priest”, and is associated with priestly lineage.