Canaan
Boy name · #1045 in 2025 · Uniqueness 66/100
Canaan is currently the #1045 boy name in the United States — 212 babies received it in 2025. A decade ago it stood at #806, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 8,491 boys born in 2025 was named Canaan.
Babies named Canaan per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 52-year story
Canaan first appears in the Social Security records in 1973, when 6 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2016, when 385 boys were named Canaan — good for #669 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Canaan against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Canaan in class?
Canaan scores 66 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Canaan is most common
Geography matters for names, and Canaan is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Canaans were NC (19), GA (14), CA (13), FL (13), TX (13). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Canaan
Statistically, parents drawn to Canaan tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Ishaan, Vihaan, Vivaan, Armaan, and Kanaan.
IshaanVihaanVivaanArmaanKanaanRayaanRiaanCayson
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Canaan | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 212 | #1044 |
| 2024 | 201 | #1082 |
| 2023 | 190 | #1111 |
| 2022 | 236 | #959 |
| 2021 | 236 | #954 |
| 2020 | 231 | #950 |
| 2019 | 265 | #845 |
| 2018 | 270 | #827 |
| 2017 | 318 | #745 |
| 2016 | 385 | #669 |
| 2015 | 285 | #806 |
| 2014 | 180 | #1074 |
| 2013 | 149 | #1203 |
| 2012 | 172 | #1084 |
| 2011 | 159 | #1136 |
| 2010 | 163 | #1137 |
| 2009 | 146 | #1226 |
| 2008 | 150 | #1182 |
| 2007 | 137 | #1277 |
| 2006 | 161 | #1091 |
| 2005 | 126 | #1253 |
| 2004 | 118 | #1271 |
| 2003 | 119 | #1224 |
| 2002 | 99 | #1332 |
| 2001 | 108 | #1231 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Canaan a popular boy name?
Canaan ranked #1045 among boys in 2025 with 212 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #806.
When was the name Canaan most popular?
Canaan peaked in 2016, when 385 American boys received the name (ranked #669 that year). Since 2016 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Canaan?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 8,491 newborn American boys was named Canaan. It scores 66/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.