Cohen is a moderately popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #404 in 2025 with 100 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2016 with 168 births ranking #295. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 1,566.7%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 2,719 boys born was named Cohen. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Cohen comes from a Hebrew surname meaning "priest". As a modern first name it is chosen mainly for sound and style, but it also carries a strong and specific religious heritage.
In Jewish tradition, Cohen is an important hereditary priestly surname rather than a neutral historical first name. Because of that, its use as a given name can be viewed differently depending on cultural background.