Canaan
- US rank
- #1,044
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #669 in 2016
212 babies were named Canaan in the US in 2025. It has dropped 94 places in five years.
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US births per million boys, 1973–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Canaan you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 8,058 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Canaan, 212 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Canaan would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryCanaan first shows up in US birth records in 1973, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 52 years since.
- Best yearIts best year was 2016, when it reached #669.
- Then vs nowCanaan is 2.6× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 21,097 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 8,058.
- TrendCanaan has slipped 94 places over the last five years and now sits at #1,044. Good news if you want a familiar name that fewer kids will share.
- Where it's lovedCanaan is most popular in Kentucky, where it ranks #450, followed by North Carolina (#512) and Virginia (#627). It's in the top 1,000 in 14 states.
About the name Canaan
Canaan is a boy name of French origin. It has 6 letters and 2 syllables, starting with C and ending in “-aan”. US birth records list Canaan for boys from 1973 to 2025, in 53 of those 53 years. Its best year was 2016, when it ranked #669 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #1,044, with 212 babies.
Origin:French names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 7.2 | 138,340 boys |
| 1980s | 12 | 85,034 boys |
| 1990s | 33 | 30,497 boys |
| 2000s | 63 | 15,921 boys |
| 2010s | 125 | 7,989 boys |
| 2020s | 126 | 7,939 boys |
Other spellings of Canaan
More French boy names
- Boy name: Sebastian · venerable
- Boy name: Leo · lion
- Boy name: Daniel · God is my judge
- Unisex name: Gabriel · God is my strength
- Unisex name: Wyatt · brave in war
- Boy name: Charles · free man
- Unisex name: Beau · handsome
- Boy name: Robert · bright fame
Questions about the name Canaan
What is the origin of the name Canaan?
Canaan has French roots in our records. Other French names include Sebastian, Leo, Daniel.
Is Canaan a boy or girl name?
Canaan is a boy name, though a few girls get it too.
How popular is the name Canaan?
Canaan ranked #1,044 for US boys in 2025, given to 212 babies. Its best year was 2016 (#669).