Yes—when written 拳, ken means “fist” or “clenched fist” in Japanese. But the sound ken alone does not tell you that a word or name means fist: the kanji and context matter.
What does 拳 mean?
The kanji 拳 can be read ken (ケン) and means “fist.” Kanjipedia also gives the reading kobushi (こぶし), the native Japanese word for a clenched hand. Its definition for 拳 is 「こぶし。また、こぶしを使った武術。」—“A fist; also, martial arts using the fist.” Kanjipedia’s entry for 拳 lists both readings and gives 拳闘 (kentō) and 鉄拳 (tekken) as examples.
Kanjipedia defines こぶし as 「にぎりしめた手。げんこつ。」—“A clenched hand; a fist.” Its entry for こぶし confirms that this is another reading of the same character.
Does the name Ken mean “fist”?
Not necessarily. If someone is identified only as “Ken” or ケン, that spelling does not show which kanji—if any—was intended. The “fist” meaning is supported when the word is written 拳; a romanized name by itself is not enough to establish it. Kotobank’s entry for 拳, citing Digital Daijisen, also gives related senses such as martial arts and games involving hand shapes, so context can help determine the intended meaning.
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Why might 拳 appear in a video-game context?
Because 拳 can refer to a fist and to fist-based martial arts, it may be relevant in a fighting-game name, move, or description. That connection does not establish the meaning of a character’s name written only as “Ken”: you would need its Japanese spelling or an authoritative explanation of the name.
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