Kanen is a unisex name of Japanese origin, meaning 'healthy' or 'strong.' It is composed of two characters: 'ka', which signifies 'change,' and 'nen,' denoting 'year.' Therefore, Kanen can be interpreted as 'a change every year.' This name carries a sense of resilience and adaptability, embodying the concept of growth and transformation over time. In recent years, it has gained international recognition, with celebrities such as Japanese singer-songwriter Kanenori endorsing its appeal.
The name Kanen experienced significant popularity growth from the mid-2010s onwards, with a notable spike in recent years. Between 1994 and 2014, the annual number of births fluctuated between 8 and 23. However, since 2015, there has been a steady increase, peaking at 42 births in 2016 and remaining high thereafter, with 39 in 2017, 32 in 2018, 41 in 2019, and an average of around 30 births per year from 2020 to 2023. This trend indicates a growing preference for the name Kanen among parents during this period.