Kekoa Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: keh-KOH-ah /kɛˈkoʊə/
Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: The warrior; brave one
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kekoa has its roots in the Hawaiian language, where it means "the warrior" or "the brave one." The etymology can be traced back to the Proto-Polynesian language, which is the ancestral language of the Polynesian peoples, including Hawaiians. The linguistic journey from Proto-Polynesian to Hawaiian reflects the broader migration patterns of Polynesians across the Pacific Ocean, with the name Kekoa emerging distinctly in the Hawaiian context, showcasing the unique cultural and linguistic evolution of the islands.
Historically, the name Kekoa has been associated with various figures in Hawaiian culture, particularly in the context of chieftainship and warrior traditions. The significance of warriors in Hawaiian society is profound, as they were often seen as protectors of the land and its people.
This cultural resonance is reflected in the oral traditions and historical narratives of Hawaii, where warriors played crucial roles in the unification of the islands and the establishment of chiefdoms. The name may also be linked to notable historical figures, although specific records from early Hawaiian history can be sparse due to the oral nature of their traditions.
Culturally, Kekoa embodies ideals of strength, bravery, and leadership, qualities that have been celebrated in Hawaiian folklore and mythology. The name's enduring presence in Hawaiian culture signifies a deep respect for the values associated with warriorhood.
Additionally, diminutive forms or affectionate variations of the name may exist, reflecting the warmth and familial bonds within Hawaiian naming practices. Overall, Kekoa stands as a testament to the rich linguistic heritage and cultural significance of names within the Hawaiian tradition.
Famous people named Kekoa
In this section, you will find notable people named Kekoa. 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 Kekoa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kekoa 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.
Kekoa Kekumano is a surfer best known for his performances in various international surfing competitions.
Kekoa Kaluhiokalani was a professional surfer best known for his contributions to the sport and his innovative surfing style.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kekoa, 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 Kekoa. 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 Kekoa was first seen in the United States in 1972.
Kekoa has ranked as high as #1311 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in Hawaii, California, Washington, Texas, and Nevada.
In the past 5 years the name Kekoa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kekoa 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 Kekoa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kekoa (2024)
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 | 10 | |
| TX | 6 | |
| NV | 5 | |
| WA | 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 Kekoa.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 51 |
| 2023 | 67 |
| 2022 | 71 |
| 2021 | 59 |
| 2020 | 58 |
| 2019 | 64 |
| 2018 | 50 |
| 2017 | 75 |
| 2016 | 67 |
| 2015 | 71 |
| 2014 | 56 |
| 2013 | 58 |
| 2012 | 57 |
| 2011 | 62 |
| 2010 | 63 |
| 2009 | 66 |
| 2008 | 67 |
| 2007 | 59 |
| 2006 | 49 |
| 2005 | 53 |
| 2004 | 51 |
| 2003 | 51 |
| 2002 | 46 |
| 2001 | 50 |
| 2000 | 43 |
| 1999 | 37 |
| 1998 | 36 |
| 1997 | 30 |
| 1996 | 27 |
| 1995 | 36 |
| 1994 | 27 |
| 1993 | 16 |
| 1992 | 38 |
| 1991 | 28 |
| 1990 | 23 |
| 1989 | 26 |
| 1988 | 12 |
| 1987 | 24 |
| 1986 | 17 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1984 | 16 |
| 1983 | 10 |
| 1982 | 12 |
| 1981 | 8 |
| 1980 | 11 |
| 1979 | 18 |
| 1978 | 14 |
| 1977 | 13 |
| 1976 | 16 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1972 | 5 |