Kegan Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KEE-gun //ˈkiːɡən//
Origin: Irish; Gaelic
Meaning: Irish: 'descendant of Aodhagán'; Gaelic: 'little fire'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kegan has its roots in the Irish language, deriving from the Gaelic name "Caoinn" or "Caoin" which means "gentle" or "beautiful." The name evolved through various forms, with the anglicized version appearing as "Kegan" in the English-speaking world. The transition from Gaelic to English often involved phonetic adaptations, leading to the modern spelling that is used today.
The name reflects a common practice in Irish naming conventions where names often carry meanings related to positive attributes or characteristics. Historically, the name Kegan is linked to the broader tradition of Gaelic names in Ireland, which have been documented since at least the early medieval period.
The use of such names became more widespread with the establishment of Christianity in Ireland, where many Gaelic names were adopted by saints or associated with notable figures. While Kegan itself may not be directly associated with any specific historical figure, it shares a cultural lineage with other Gaelic names that have been borne by prominent individuals throughout Irish history.
Culturally, the name Kegan resonates with themes of gentleness and beauty, which are valued traits in many societies. The enduring nature of names like Kegan can be attributed to their connection to familial and cultural heritage, often passed down through generations.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Keg" may have emerged informally, reflecting a common practice in many cultures to create affectionate or familiar variations of names. Overall, Kegan embodies a rich linguistic and cultural history that reflects the values and traditions of its Irish origins.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kegan, 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 Kegan. 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 Kegan was first seen in the United States in 1970.
Kegan has ranked as high as #1066 nationally, which occurred in 1992, and has been most popular in Michigan, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Kegan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kegan 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 Kegan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kegan (2022)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 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 Kegan.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2018 | 44 |
| 2017 | 35 |
| 2016 | 49 |
| 2015 | 56 |
| 2014 | 64 |
| 2013 | 82 |
| 2012 | 82 |
| 2011 | 127 |
| 2010 | 110 |
| 2009 | 118 |
| 2008 | 122 |
| 2007 | 157 |
| 2006 | 134 |
| 2005 | 94 |
| 2004 | 120 |
| 2003 | 105 |
| 2002 | 145 |
| 2001 | 100 |
| 2000 | 111 |
| 1999 | 90 |
| 1998 | 126 |
| 1997 | 115 |
| 1996 | 112 |
| 1995 | 137 |
| 1994 | 146 |
| 1993 | 174 |
| 1992 | 175 |
| 1991 | 154 |
| 1990 | 126 |
| 1989 | 127 |
| 1988 | 89 |
| 1987 | 91 |
| 1986 | 58 |
| 1985 | 12 |
| 1984 | 11 |
| 1983 | 15 |
| 1982 | 12 |
| 1981 | 14 |
| 1980 | 6 |
| 1979 | 10 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1977 | 8 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1973 | 5 |
| 1970 | 6 |