Keefe Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KEE-f //kiːf//
Origin: Irish; Gaelic
Meaning: Irish: 'handsome'; Gaelic: 'descendant of Caomh' (meaning 'gentle')
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Keefe has its roots in the Irish language, derived from the Gaelic surname "Mac Aoife," which translates to "son of Aoife." The name Aoife itself is derived from the Old Irish word "aoibh," meaning "beauty" or "radiance." This etymological journey reflects a rich linguistic heritage, as the name transitioned from Gaelic to anglicized forms, ultimately becoming Keefe in English. The adoption of the name into English occurred during the periods of English colonization and the subsequent anglicization of Irish names, particularly from the 17th century onward.
Historically, the name Keefe has been associated with various notable figures in Irish history, particularly during the medieval period when surnames became hereditary. The Mac Aoife clan was known in regions such as County Kerry, and members of this lineage were often involved in local governance and military affairs.
The name appears in historical records and genealogies, indicating its significance among Irish families. Additionally, the name's presence in literature and folklore, particularly in tales of heroic figures and legendary warriors, has contributed to its enduring legacy.
Culturally, Keefe embodies themes of nobility and beauty, resonating with the values of strength and honor often celebrated in Irish tradition. The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, with diminutives such as "Keef" emerging in informal contexts.
This adaptability highlights the name's versatility and its ability to maintain relevance through centuries of cultural change. Overall, Keefe stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of Irish heritage, encapsulating both linguistic evolution and historical significance.
Famous people named Keefe
In this section, you will find notable people named Keefe. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Keefe who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Keefe who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Keefe Brasselle is an actor best known for The Long, Long Trailer, The Great Race, and The Big Circus.
Keefe D is a music executive best known for his involvement in the hip-hop scene and connections to the Death Row Records label.
Fictional characters named Keefe
The following list of fictional characters named Keefe is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Keefe Sencen is a fictional character from the book series Keeper of the Lost Cities. He is a talented Shade who plays a crucial role in aiding the protagonist and navigating the complexities of their world.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Keefe, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Keefe. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Keefe was first seen in the United States in 1952.
Keefe has ranked as high as #1111 nationally, which occurred in 1963, and has been most popular in California, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Keefe has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Keefe is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Keefe was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Keefe (1991)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Keefe.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 1999 | 10 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1997 | 12 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 1995 | 18 |
| 1994 | 16 |
| 1993 | 8 |
| 1992 | 13 |
| 1991 | 18 |
| 1990 | 23 |
| 1989 | 13 |
| 1988 | 13 |
| 1987 | 8 |
| 1986 | 10 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1984 | 20 |
| 1983 | 13 |
| 1982 | 10 |
| 1981 | 10 |
| 1980 | 13 |
| 1979 | 11 |
| 1978 | 14 |
| 1977 | 13 |
| 1976 | 14 |
| 1975 | 13 |
| 1974 | 12 |
| 1973 | 16 |
| 1972 | 13 |
| 1971 | 13 |
| 1970 | 12 |
| 1969 | 12 |
| 1968 | 11 |
| 1967 | 13 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1964 | 15 |
| 1963 | 33 |
| 1962 | 8 |
| 1960 | 13 |
| 1959 | 9 |
| 1958 | 7 |
| 1957 | 9 |
| 1956 | 20 |
| 1955 | 10 |
| 1954 | 9 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 |