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Comments and insights on the name Koen

Pronounced KOE-en
Variation of English Conrad, Koenraad (Koon-rAAd)- Dutch name, Koen, pronounced Koon. Meaning bold counsel. Also as Coen.

Personal experiences with the name Koen

This is the name my husband and I decided to give our son when he was born four years ago. We both have HIGHLY common names and wanted something unusual.

My husband and I wanted a Germany/Dutch first name and this one pulled us in and it stuck.

Nicknames for Koen

The KoenMan (pronounced The Coonman)- This nickname for our (Dutch - The name is derived from Cornelias which means Brave and Strong in the Netherlands and Germany) son evolved during a 4 year assignment to Texas and it stuck!

Meanings and history of the name Koen

Variation of the English Conrad- Koenraad (Koon-rAAd)in Dutch, meaning bold counsel, also Coen.
Typical Dutch name, in top 1000 regularly.

Pronounced KOON in Dutch.

According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coen):
"Koen" (bold)- is a Germanic variant of the name "Conrad", most popular in the Dutch language. It is originally spelled as "Coenraad" or "Koenraad", with just the "raad" deleted off. Both variations are made up from two words: "koen" (meaning "brave") and "raad" (meaning "advice"). The name "Koenraad" translates to "brave advisor". If someone's official name is "Koenraad", they often use the more casual shorter version in everyday life: thus "Koen" (same for the Coenraad variety). This is a first name, given to boys, never to girls. Though this is a first (or personal) name, there are people who have it as a surname.

Due to the nature of the Dutch language it is pronounced differently then, for example, in English. In Dutch it will sound as one syllable: Koen (like "coon" in raccoon"), instead of 2 syllables (KOE-en), like "Cohen". "Cohen" on the other hand, is completely different name with a Hebrew origin meaning "priest". In fact, a "Kohen" is someone who is a direct descendant of Aaron. "Cohen" should not be confused with "Koen".

Famous real-life people named Koen

The OC - that is where we decided on Koen - long before we even decided to have baby #2. So when dr. said it's a boy... we didn't even question the name. Koen it was!

Koen in song, story & screen

On the television series The O.C., one of the lead character's names was Seth Cohen, but he was frequently called by his last name.