Kayan

Kayan for girls#6441 US

Alternatively, some sources suggest it is a Malaysian or Indonesian name, relating to the Kayan River, or to the indigenous Kayan Dayak tribe from who the river takes its name. There is also the possibility that it comes from the Turkish name Kaya, meaning "rock" or the Turkish word kayan meaning "sliding, slithery", or potentially from the Turkish and Persian name Kayhan, meaning "universe, cosmos".

But that's not all! It may well be a modern spelling of Kayanne, a smoosh name blending Kay (from Katherine) with the classic Anne, meaning "pure and grace", or it may be connected to either the indigenous Kayan people of Myanmar, or to places of the same name in Armenia, Afghanistan, and Iran.

All in all, it's a global choice which was given to 36 girls and 40 boys in the US in 2024.

Kayan for boys#3480 US

Multicultural with a contemporary unisex feel, Kayan is a versatile choice. Given to 40 boys and 36 girls in the US in 2024, it also counts as a truly neutral choice in America.

From its Persian and Kurdish roots, Kayan can mean "high status", "leader", and "ruler", or it can be considered a variation of the similar Kayhan, meaning "universe, cosmos". From its Yoruba and Nigerian roots, it is an alternative spelling to Kayin, a name meaning "celebrated" or "wished-for child", while from its Arabic and Quranic origins, it an variation of Keyan or Kiyan, meaning "being, essence, existence, entity".

Other possibilities include that it is a Malaysian or Indonesian name, relating to the Kayan River, or to the indigenous Kayan Dayak tribe from who the river takes its name. Some sources also link it to the Turkish words kaya and kayan meaning "rock" and "sliding, slithery respectively.

Beyond that, it might be used as a modern invention, inspired by Kian, Kayden, and Kayne, or, it may relate to either the indigenous Kayan people of Myanmar, or to places called Kayan in Armenia, Afghanistan, and Iran.