"hound, warrior"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Cohan
Pronunciation: [ k-OHH-uhn ]
An Irish name made iconic by Broadway's greatest showman
Irish
Jewish-American
American
Classic
Strong
Vintage
Bold
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"priest"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Browse names with similar meanings:
Things to Know About This Name
- Phonetically identical to Cohen, a Jewish priestly surname (Kohen), which some Jewish families consider inappropriate for non-Jewish use as a first name
The Story of Cohan
Cohan is an anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Cadhain, meaning 'descendant of Cadhan,' where Cadhan itself comes from the Old Irish word for 'hound' or possibly 'warrior.' The surname was historically common in County Galway and Connaught. In America, it became widely recognized through George M. Cohan, the legendary Broadway showman and composer, whose name helped cement Cohan as an Americanized Irish identity distinct from the Hebrew Cohen.
As a first name, Cohan has grown in appeal alongside the trend of using Irish surnames as given names—like Declan, Finn, and Quinn. The legacy of George M. Cohan, the man who wrote 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and 'Give My Regards to Broadway,' gives the name a distinctly American patriotic and theatrical resonance.
George M. Cohan became such a symbol of American patriotism during World War I that Congress awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal. The name Cohan thus carries both Irish heritage and a uniquely American showbiz identity—a combination that holds special appeal for families with Irish-American roots.
Fun Facts
- George M. Cohan wrote 'Over There,' the WWI anthem that earned him a Congressional Gold Medal—the only entertainer ever to receive one from Congress
- James Cagney won an Oscar for Best Actor playing George M. Cohan in the 1942 film 'Yankee Doodle Dandy'
Cohan in Other Languages
Irish
Ó Cadhain
French
Cohan
Hebrew
כהן
English
Cohan
Spanish
Cohan
Popularity Over Time
#3,804
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Cohan
G
George M. Cohan
Entertainer
1878
American Broadway composer, playwright, and performer nicknamed 'The Man Who Owned Broadway,' who wrote 'Yankee Doodle D...
American Broadway composer, playwright, and performer nicknamed 'The Man Who Owned Broadway,' who wrote 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and 'Give My Regards to Broadway'
D
Dan Cohan
Other
Common bearer of this Irish-American name across multiple generations of diaspora families
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,804
- Total SSA Count
- 29
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Jewish-American American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Co
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Irish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cohan
What does the name Cohan mean?
"hound, warrior" (from Old Irish). "priest" (from Hebrew). Cohan is an anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Cadhain, meaning 'descendant of Cadhan,' where Cadhan itself comes from the Old Irish word for 'hound' or possibly 'warrior.' The surname was historically common in County Galway and Connaught. In America, it became widely recognized through George M. Cohan, the legendary Broadway showman and composer, whose name helped cement Cohan as an Americanized Irish identity distinct from the Hebrew Cohen.
What is the origin of the name Cohan?
Cohan has Old Irish, Hebrew, Irish, Jewish-American, and American origins. In Old Irish, it means "hound, warrior". In Hebrew, it means "priest".
Is Cohan a boy or girl name?
Cohan is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Cohan?
Cohan is pronounced k-OHH-uhn.
How popular is the name Cohan?
Cohan is currently ranked #3804 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cohan?
Common nicknames for Cohan include Co.
What are good middle names for Cohan?
Popular middle name pairings include Cohan James, Cohan Patrick, Cohan Ryan, Cohan Michael, Cohan Finn, Cohan Sean, and Cohan Thomas.
What are good sibling names for Cohan?
Names that pair well with Cohan as siblings include Declan, Sienna, Rowan, Fiona, Kieran, Maeve, and Liam.
How many syllables does Cohan have?
Cohan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cohan a common or rare name?
Cohan is an uncommon name, ranked #3804 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Cohan
Cohan is a boy name with Irish, Jewish-American, and American origins . The name means "hound, warrior" in Old Irish .
Cohan is currently ranked #3,804 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Cohan has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-OHH-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cohan include Co. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.