Keegan Boy

Popularity: #540 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KEE-gun //ˈkiːɡən//

Origin: Irish; Gaelic

Meaning: Irish: 'descendant of Aodhagán'; Gaelic: 'little fire'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Keegan has its roots in the Irish language, derived from the Gaelic surname "Caomhánach," which means "descendant of Caomhán." The name Caomhán itself is derived from the word "caomh," meaning "gentle," "kind," or "handsome." This etymological lineage reflects a rich cultural heritage, as Gaelic names often carry significant meanings tied to personal qualities or virtues. The transition of Keegan into English occurred through the anglicization of Irish names during the 19th century, particularly as Irish immigrants settled in English-speaking countries.

Historically, the name Keegan is associated with various figures in Irish history, including the 6th-century saint Caomhán, who is venerated in the region of Kilkeegan in County Clare. The name has been borne by notable individuals throughout the centuries, contributing to its recognition in both Irish and broader Anglo-American contexts.

The use of Keegan in literature and historical texts can be traced back to the 19th century, when Irish surnames began to be adopted as given names, reflecting a growing sense of national identity among the Irish diaspora. Culturally, Keegan embodies a connection to Irish heritage and is often associated with themes of strength and kindness.

The name's gentle connotation resonates with traditional Irish values, making it a meaningful choice for many families. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Keen" or "Kegan" have emerged, although they are less commonly used.

Overall, the name Keegan carries a legacy that intertwines linguistic roots, historical significance, and cultural resonance, reflecting the enduring nature of Irish naming traditions.

Famous people named Keegan

In this section, you will find notable people named Keegan. 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 Keegan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Keegan 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.

Keegan-Michael Key is an actor and comedian best known for Key & Peele, The Lion King, and Playing with Fire.

Keegan Allen is an actor and photographer best known for Pretty Little Liars, The Edge of Seventeen, and The Sound of Music Live!.

Keegan Bradley is a professional golfer best known for winning the 2011 PGA Championship, the 2012 Byron Nelson Championship, and the 2018 BMW Championship.

Fictional characters named Keegan

The following list of fictional characters named Keegan 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.

Keegan is a fictional character from the video game series Gears of War. He is a member of the COG and plays a significant role in the fight against the Locust and Swarm.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Keegan, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AidanDeclanLiamNolanRonanSeamus

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Keegan. 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.

KieranCianEamonFinnLachlanTadhgDarraghCillian

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Keegan was first seen in the United States in 1965.

Keegan has ranked as high as #389 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and California.

In the past 5 years the name Keegan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Keegan 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 Keegan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Keegan.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 497 449 48
2024 540 484 56
2023 508 443 65
2022 579 523 56
2021 671 599 72
2020 662 592 70
2019 795 723 72
2018 1,028 940 88
2017 1,247 1,124 123
2016 1,409 1,295 114
2015 1,476 1,346 130
2014 1,679 1,560 119
2013 1,601 1,458 143
2012 1,586 1,472 114
2011 1,500 1,370 130
2010 1,563 1,430 133
2009 1,726 1,597 129
2008 1,843 1,683 160
2007 1,888 1,707 181
2006 1,719 1,594 125
2005 1,499 1,390 109
2004 1,411 1,293 118
2003 1,378 1,271 107
2002 1,399 1,284 115
2001 1,270 1,158 112
2000 1,202 1,080 122
1999 1,040 957 83
1998 1,008 928 80
1997 875 804 71
1996 878 799 79
1995 733 669 64
1994 666 606 60
1993 559 516 43
1992 530 485 45
1991 498 442 56
1990 425 385 40
1989 362 329 33
1988 253 214 39
1987 219 188 31
1986 199 165 34
1985 242 205 37
1984 203 157 46
1983 169 126 43
1982 157 121 36
1981 120 106 14
1980 125 110 15
1979 96 82 14
1978 73 67 6
1977 60 48 12
1976 58 45 13
1975 25 25 0
1974 24 24 0
1973 8 8 0
1972 7 7 0
1971 8 8 0
1970 14 14 0
1969 7 7 0
1965 7 7 0

Top States for Keegan (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
PA 33
8%
OH 27
6%
IL 26
6%
IN 25
6%
NY 21
5%
MI 20
5%
FL 20
5%
CA 19
4%
MA 18
4%
TX 17
4%
VA 17
4%
MN 15
3%
KY 15
3%
SC 14
3%
WA 14
3%
GA 13
3%
MO 13
3%
TN 12
3%
AL 12
3%
NC 11
3%
WI 11
3%
CO 11
3%
CT 9
2%
NJ 8
2%
IA 8
2%
AZ 7
2%
RI 6
1%
MS 6
1%
KS 6
1%
MD 6
1%