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The Israeli Names Portal

כנען


Meaning of the name כנען

Canaan is an ancient Hebrew name with profound historical and geographical significance, referring to the Land of Canaan - the biblical name for the Land of Israel before its conquest by the Israelites. The name carries a heavy cultural and historical weight, connected to the Patriarchal period and the formative biblical narratives. The literal meaning of the name Canaan has been extensively debated among biblical scholars and linguists, with interpretations ranging from "merchant" or "subdued" to "land of purple" - referring to the famous purple dye industry that flourished in the Canaanite coastal region. The name appears in numerous ancient sources, including Egyptian inscriptions and Mesopotamian cuneiform texts, attesting to the international importance of the region in the ancient world. In the Bible, Canaan is mentioned as the son of Ham and grandson of Noah, and is considered the progenitor of the Canaanite peoples who inhabited the land before the Israelites. The story of the Curse of Canaan, appearing in the Book of Genesis, is one of the most complex and controversial narratives in the Bible, with significant theological and historical implications. Despite the negative connotation the name acquired in certain biblical contexts, it also symbolizes the Promised Land, the destination of the Hebrew people's journey from Egypt to the land of their ancestors. In modern times, the name Canaan has returned to use as a personal name, sometimes as an expression of connection to the land, to ancient history, and to the deep roots of the Jewish people. The name Canaan also carries meaning of connection to tradition and historical identity. It represents the profound bond between the people and their land, the historical complexity of the region, and the various cultural layers that have accumulated there over thousands of years. Choosing the name Canaan for a child may express historical consciousness, connection to the biblical narrative, and a desire to give the child a name with cultural weight and direct connection to the land of Israel. The name is particularly suitable for families interested in unique and ancient names with biblical resonance and direct connection to the geography and history of the Land of Israel. It is a name that provokes thought and discourse, inviting its bearer and their environment to delve into the historical and cultural meanings it carries.

The name כנען with vowels

כְּנַעַן

The name כנען in English

Canaan | Cnaan | Kena'an

כנען is mainly suitable for

Boy and Girl

Is the name כנען considered international

No

Origin of the name כנען from the Bible

Genesis 9:22 - And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without

Origin of the name כנען from Kabbalah

In Kabbalah, the name Canaan symbolizes the physical and material force that must be elevated and rectified. It represents the spiritual challenge of raising holy sparks from within the shells of impurity, and the journey from exile to redemption. The name carries within it the potential for spiritual transformation.

Gematria value for the name כנען

190

=

20

כ

+

50

נ

+

70

ע

+

50

ן

Numerology value for the name כנען

1

=

20

כ

+

50

נ

+

70

ע

+

50

ן

=

190

=

1

+

9

+

0

=

10

=

1

+

0

=

1

Famous people named כנען

Canaan Ben Shimon (Israeli drummer and musician) | Canaan Peretz (artist and painter) | Canaan Levi (tech entrepreneur)

Names similar to כנען