Canice: Meaning, Pronunciation and Origin
Canice is an Irish boy's name meaning “pleasant person.” Here’s how to say it, where it comes from, and names that go well with it.
Updated September 2026
- Meaning
- Pleasant person
- Gender
- Boy
- English forms
- Kenneth, Kenny
How do you pronounce Canice?
Canice is pronounced CAN-iss. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first. It can also be said KO-in-ock. Other spellings: Coinneach.
What does Canice mean?
From coinneach “attractive person,” “pleasant person.” A sixth-century Irish missionary St. Canice founded churches in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. As Coinneach he gave his name to the town of Kilkenny, Cill Coinneach “Coinneach’s Church.”
How popular is Canice in Ireland?
Canice wasn't in the 2025 tables, which list names given to at least three babies. It was last recorded in 2015, when 3 baby boys got the name. It was most popular in 1969, when 7 baby boys were named Canice, No. 216 that year. The records go back to 1964, when 3 baby boys were given the name.
See the numbers by year
| Year | Babies | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 | No. 699 |
| 2013 | 3 | No. 711 |
| 2010 | 4 | No. 611 |
| 1992 | 5 | No. 267 |
| 1986 | 3 | No. 317 |
| 1980 | 3 | No. 321 |
| 1979 | 5 | No. 269 |
| 1977 | 4 | No. 293 |
| 1973 | 3 | No. 320 |
| 1972 | 4 | No. 279 |
| 1971 | 6 | No. 242 |
| 1970 | 3 | No. 305 |
| 1969 | 7 | No. 216 |
| 1968 | 3 | No. 267 |
| 1967 | 3 | No. 265 |
| 1966 | 3 | No. 256 |
| 1965 | 4 | No. 222 |
| 1964 | 3 | No. 232 |
Canice in Ogham
Ogham is the oldest way of writing Irish. It was carved along the edges of standing stones, mostly between the 4th and 6th centuries, and read from the bottom up. In later tradition each letter was named after a tree or plant. Here’s Canice, letter by letter.
- CColl, hazel
- AAilm, pine
- NNion, ash
- IIodhadh, yew
- CColl, hazel
- EEadhadh, aspen
Write any name in Ogham with our Ogham translator
Names that go with Canice
Questions about Canice
- How do you pronounce Canice?
- Canice is pronounced CAN-iss. Two syllables, stress on the first.
- What does Canice mean?
- Canice means “pleasant person.”
- Is Canice a girl's name or a boy's name?
- Canice is a boy's name.
- What is Canice in English?
- The English forms of Canice are Kenneth and Kenny.