When was Ken most popular?

The name Ken reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Ken Shelley?

The name Ken Shelley combines two different traditions: the first name Ken has Celtic roots, while the surname Shelley originates from English.

Ken Shelley — 83K & 14K bearers

Ken Shelley is a name that combines Celtic origins. The first name Ken is a masculine given name of Celtic origin. Ken is a masculine given name of Japanese and Scottish Gaelic origin. The Japanese given name is common among males. It can have many different meanings depending on the kanji used. Ken is also a masculine given name of Scottish / Scottish Gaelic origin. It is used as a given name or as a short form of names with the letters "Ken" (like Kenneth, Kenan, Kendrick, Kendall, Kennedy, Mackenzie, Kenson, or Kenelm). The surname Shelley: Shelley is a given name and surname. In many baby name books, Shelley is listed as meaning 'meadow's edge' or 'clearing on a bank'. It is Old English in origin. As with many other names (Courtney, Ashley, etc.), Shelley is today a name given almost exclusively to girls after historically being male. It is commonly used as a nickname for Michelle (and formerly as a variant of Shirley). Shelley is also a transferred surname used by those in Essex, Suffolk and Yorkshire, particularly in settlements where a wood/clearing was beside a ledge or hillside. Shelly is a common alternative spelling. Ken is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 83K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Ken reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Ken

Celtic

Ken is a masculine given name of Japanese and Scottish Gaelic origin. The Japanese given name is common among males. It can have many different meanings depending on the kanji used. Ken is also a masculine given name of Scottish / Scottish Gaelic origin. It is used as a given name or as a short form of names with the letters "Ken" (like Kenneth, Kenan, Kendrick, Kendall, Kennedy, Mackenzie, Kenson, or Kenelm).

Surname: Shelley

English

Shelley is a given name and surname. In many baby name books, Shelley is listed as meaning 'meadow's edge' or 'clearing on a bank'. It is Old English in origin. As with many other names (Courtney, Ashley, etc.), Shelley is today a name given almost exclusively to girls after historically being male. It is commonly used as a nickname for Michelle (and formerly as a variant of Shirley). Shelley is also a transferred surname used by those in Essex, Suffolk and Yorkshire, particularly in settlements where a wood/clearing was beside a ledge or hillside. Shelly is a common alternative spelling.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Ken is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%

United Kingdom 27%

Australia 12%

Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Ken by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Ken Shelley

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Ken Shelley:

8

Expression Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

6

Soul Urge Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

11

Personality Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Ken?: The first name Ken originates from Celtic. Ken is a masculine given name of Japanese and Scottish Gaelic origin. The Japanese given name is common among males. It can have many different meanings depending on the kanji used. Ken is also a masculine given name of Scottish / Scottish Gaelic origin. It is used as a given name or as a short form of names with the letters "Ken" (like Kenneth, Kenan, Kendrick, Kendall, Kennedy, Mackenzie, Kenson, or Kenelm).
When was Ken most popular?: The name Ken reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Shelley?: The surname Shelley originates from English. Shelley is a given name and surname. In many baby name books, Shelley is listed as meaning 'meadow's edge' or 'clearing on a bank'. It is Old English in origin. As with many other names (Courtney, Ashley, etc.), Shelley is today a name given almost exclusively to girls after historically being male. It is commonly used as a nickname for Michelle (and formerly as a variant of Shirley). Shelley is also a transferred surname used by those in Essex, Suffolk and Yorkshire, particularly in settlements where a wood/clearing was beside a ledge or hillside. Shelly is a common alternative spelling.
What are the origins of the name Ken Shelley?: The name Ken Shelley combines two different traditions: the first name Ken has Celtic roots, while the surname Shelley originates from English.