Keller Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KEL-er //ˈkɛl.ər//
Origin: German; English
Meaning: German: cellar; English: one who lives near a cellar
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Keller has its roots in the German language, derived from the Middle High German word "keller," which means "cellar" or "storeroom." This term itself can be traced back to the Old High German "cellar," indicating a place for storage or a wine cellar. The transition into English occurred through the influence of German-speaking communities and migration, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries, when many Germans settled in English-speaking countries.
The name has also been adopted in various forms across different cultures, often retaining its original meaning related to storage or a place of refuge. Historically, the name Keller has been associated with various notable figures, particularly in German-speaking regions.
In the medieval period, individuals with the surname Keller were often linked to occupations related to the production or storage of wine, which was a significant aspect of local economies. The name appears in records from the 13th century onward, indicating its use as both a surname and a given name.
Additionally, the name has been borne by various saints and religious figures throughout history, contributing to its cultural significance. Culturally, the name Keller resonates with themes of sustenance and preservation, reflecting the importance of storage in agrarian societies.
It evokes a sense of stability and reliability, qualities that have allowed the name to endure through generations. In some contexts, diminutive forms such as "Kell" have emerged, though these are less common.
Overall, the name Keller carries historical weight and cultural associations that reflect its origins and the roles of individuals who have borne it throughout history.
Fictional characters named Keller
The following list of fictional characters named Keller 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.
Keller is a fictional character from the novel The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters. He is a detective investigating a series of murders in a world facing an impending asteroid impact.
Keller is a fictional character from the video game series The Last of Us. They are a member of the Fireflies, a revolutionary militia group fighting against the oppressive military regime.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Keller, 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 Keller. 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 Keller was first seen in the United States in 1911.
Keller has ranked as high as #1210 nationally, which occurred in 2012, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia.
In the past 5 years the name Keller has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Keller 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 Keller was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Keller (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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 15 | |
| GA | 5 | |
| VA | 5 | |
| AL | 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 Keller.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 105 |
| 2023 | 105 |
| 2022 | 89 |
| 2021 | 84 |
| 2020 | 115 |
| 2019 | 118 |
| 2018 | 107 |
| 2017 | 123 |
| 2016 | 140 |
| 2015 | 159 |
| 2014 | 171 |
| 2013 | 130 |
| 2012 | 171 |
| 2011 | 158 |
| 2010 | 125 |
| 2009 | 144 |
| 2008 | 153 |
| 2007 | 135 |
| 2006 | 160 |
| 2005 | 146 |
| 2004 | 122 |
| 2003 | 90 |
| 2002 | 66 |
| 2001 | 56 |
| 2000 | 56 |
| 1999 | 40 |
| 1998 | 43 |
| 1997 | 46 |
| 1996 | 36 |
| 1995 | 35 |
| 1994 | 21 |
| 1993 | 33 |
| 1992 | 20 |
| 1991 | 26 |
| 1990 | 14 |
| 1989 | 18 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1983 | 10 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1981 | 5 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1970 | 9 |
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1962 | 9 |
| 1960 | 7 |
| 1950 | 6 |
| 1949 | 8 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1941 | 6 |
| 1940 | 7 |
| 1938 | 8 |
| 1935 | 5 |
| 1933 | 6 |
| 1932 | 6 |
| 1928 | 10 |
| 1925 | 6 |
| 1924 | 12 |
| 1923 | 5 |
| 1922 | 5 |
| 1921 | 9 |
| 1918 | 7 |
| 1917 | 5 |
| 1916 | 5 |
| 1915 | 7 |
| 1914 | 9 |
| 1913 | 6 |
| 1912 | 5 |
| 1911 | 5 |