Ken vs Niles

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ken

Boy #3,299 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"handsome, born of fire"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

English American Scottish Japanese

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,299
Total SSA Count
36
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Kenny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ken →

Niles

Boy #3,177 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"champion, winner"

Origin: Irish Gaelic Niall

Cultural Roots

British American Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,177
Total SSA Count
38
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Nile, Ni

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Niles →

Popularity Comparison

Ken Rank #3,299
Niles Rank #3,177

Niles is more popular, ranked #3177 vs #3299 for Ken.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ken ___

  • Ken James
  • Ken Thomas
  • Ken Lee
  • Ken Wayne
  • Ken Scott
  • Ken Allen

Niles ___

  • Niles Alexander
  • Niles James
  • Niles Edward
  • Niles Thomas
  • Niles William
  • Niles Oliver

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ken

Gary Don Linda Susan Barbie

If you choose Niles

Miles Julian Alistair Cordelia Beatrice

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ken or Niles more popular?

Niles is more popular, ranked #3177 compared to Ken at #3299 in the United States.

What do Ken and Niles mean?

Ken means "handsome, born of fire" (Scottish Gaelic origin). Niles means "champion, winner" (Irish Gaelic Niall origin).

Are Ken and Niles boy or girl names?

Ken is primarily a boy name. Niles is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Ken ← Full profile: Niles Browse all baby names