Kane
Say it: KAYN/keɪn/
BoyMeans usually linked to cath (battle), through the surname O'Kane4 letters1 syllable
#468
in Ireland (2025)
#453 with spellings combined
7
babies in 2025
#216
best rank (2002)
267
babies since 1988
Up 52
10-year rank change
Kane through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | #453 |
| 2024 | 10 | #360 |
| 2023 | 12 | #319 |
| 2022 | 10 | #367 |
| 2021 | 9 | #377 |
| 2020 | 5 | #528 |
| 2019 | 10 | #357 |
| 2018 | 11 | #342 |
| 2017 | 3 | #710 |
| 2016 | 5 | #541 |
| 2015 | 6 | #505 |
| 2014 | 8 | #428 |
| 2013 | 11 | #352 |
| 2012 | 7 | #457 |
| 2011 | 4 | #623 |
| 2010 | 6 | #491 |
| 2009 | 10 | #366 |
| 2007 | 16 | #247 |
| 2006 | 9 | #315 |
| 2005 | 14 | #231 |
| 2004 | 11 | #244 |
| 2003 | 12 | #228 |
| 2002 | 12 | #216 |
| 2001 | 6 | #297 |
| 2000 | 3 | #390 |
| 1999 | 5 | #290 |
| 1998 | 6 | #242 |
| 1997 | 8 | #251 |
| 1996 | 5 | #295 |
| 1995 | 5 | #281 |
| 1994 | 5 | #263 |
| 1992 | 4 | #298 |
| 1991 | 4 | #288 |
| 1989 | 3 | #307 |
| 1988 | 5 | #254 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Kane mean?
Usually linked to cath (battle), through the surname O'Kane
Irish surname, from Ó Catháin (descendant of Cathán), used as a first name.
Say it right
KAYN
The story of Kane
As an Irish name, Kane comes from the surname Ó Catháin, “descendant of Cathán”, which also gives O’Kane and Keane. Cathán is built on cath, the Irish word for battle, which is why the name is often explained as “warrior”. The surname Kane has other roots too, in English, German and Jewish families, so not every Kane shares the Irish story.
Many of the best-known people with Kane as a first name come from Australia and New Zealand, and a good number of them are sportspeople, such as the New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson.
Kane first appears in the CSO records in 1988. Its best rank was number 216 in 2002, and its busiest year was 2007, with 16 boys. It has also been used in Northern Ireland, where it reached number 152 in 2000. In 2025, 7 boys were named Kane in the Republic.
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Sources
- Wiktionary: Kane (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Kane (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Kane | 7 | 267 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #152 (2000); 125 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.