Message: "Kohn, as an American last name"

[Facts] Kohn, as an American last name

by Kinnaree (guest)

8/31/2007, 1:15 AM

I have a question about the pronunciation of the last name "Kohn" when it is an American last name. A source says that it is derived either from the Jewish as a variant of "Cohen," or from the German personal name of "Kohn" or "Köhn," which are former Low German short forms of "Konrad." German "Kohn" is pronounced as English 'cone.' Correct? So I'm wondering if "Kohn" as an American last name is also pronounced 'cone.' Or should it be like English 'con'? Would anyone help me please? I really appreciate it.

#American #surnames

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- Cleveland Kent Evans (clevelandkentevans) +3

8/31/2007, 9:42 AM

I have always heard this name pronounced "cone" in the USA. But that doesn't mean that there couldn't be some particular Kohn family in the USA that prefers another pronunciation. I have known different Americans with the surname Koch who have pronounced it like "cock", "coke" or "cook", for instance.

- T. Kohns (guest)

5/19/2019, 7:51 PM

My great-grandfather Kohns came to America as a young man of about 20 from what then was Prussia, now is Germany. I discovered on the ledgers in Michigan that recorded the births of all his 8 children the clerk had written down "Cones". I assume that is how it sounded when my Great grandfather said it. Later the children went back to correct their records one by one.

- Kinnaree (guest) +1

9/1/2007, 6:37 PM

Thank you

Thank you, Cleveland Kent Evans, for the information you gave. 'Cone' is the pronunciation I'm familiar with, and it's good to have a confirmation from you. :)

- Ryan Kohn (guest)

4/14/2021, 9:07 AM

I came across this today. I have always pronounced Kohn as 'Cone'. Many people say 'Con'. I'm sure some pronounce the name different.

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