American Names

English speaking countries

Occasionally used in the United States, Kohen is not a personal name in Hebrew.
It is a surname and a specific lineage in the Jewish faith. A kohen is assumed to be a direct male descendant of the Biblical Aaron, brother of Moses.

During the existence of the Temple in Jerusalem, kohanim performed specific duties vis-à-vis the daily and festival sacrificial offerings. The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) played a special role during the service of Yom Kippur. Today, kohanim retain a distinct personal status within Judaism and are still bound by special laws in Orthodox and, to a lesser extent, in Conservative Jewish communities.