Keri Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KER-ee //ˈkɛr.i//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: dark-haired; English: beloved
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Keri has its roots in the Welsh language, derived from the word "caru," which means "to love." This etymology reflects a deep cultural significance, as names in Welsh often carry meanings related to nature, emotions, or virtues. The name Keri is believed to have evolved from the Welsh diminutive form "Ceri," which has been used since at least the 20th century.
The transition into English occurred as Welsh names began to be adopted more broadly, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries, when there was increased interest in Celtic culture and heritage. Historically, the name Keri, through its variant Ceri, has been associated with various notable figures in Welsh history and literature.
The name gained some recognition in the 20th century, particularly through its use in literature and popular culture. While specific historical milestones for the name Keri are less documented compared to more traditional names, the broader cultural context of Welsh names has been enriched by the revival of interest in Welsh identity and language during the 20th century, particularly following the establishment of the Welsh Assembly in 1999.
Culturally, the name Keri embodies themes of affection and warmth, resonating with the Welsh tradition of valuing familial and communal bonds. The name's association with love and caring aligns with many traditional values found in Welsh folklore and storytelling, where names often reflect the character or virtues of the individual.
The name Keri, while relatively modern in its usage, carries with it a sense of historical depth and cultural significance that reflects the enduring legacy of Welsh naming traditions.
Famous people named Keri
In this section, you will find notable people named Keri. 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 Keri who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Keri 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.
Keri Russell is an actress best known for Felicity, The Americans, and Waitress.
Keri Hilson is a singer and songwriter best known for Energy, Knock You Down, and Pretty Girl Rock.
Keri Smith is an author and illustrator best known for Wreck This Journal, This Is Not a Book, and The Guerrilla Art Kit.
Fictional characters named Keri
The following list of fictional characters named Keri 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.
Keri is a fictional character from the film Keri. She is a young woman navigating the complexities of love and self-discovery.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Keri, 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 Keri. 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 Keri was first seen in the United States in 1946.
Keri has ranked as high as #335 nationally, which occurred in 1975, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Keri has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Keri 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 Keri 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 Keri.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2024 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2023 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 2022 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2021 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2020 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 2019 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 2018 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 2017 | 36 | 0 | 36 |
| 2016 | 39 | 0 | 39 |
| 2015 | 40 | 0 | 40 |
| 2014 | 40 | 0 | 40 |
| 2013 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 2012 | 48 | 0 | 48 |
| 2011 | 75 | 0 | 75 |
| 2010 | 70 | 0 | 70 |
| 2009 | 69 | 0 | 69 |
| 2008 | 69 | 0 | 69 |
| 2007 | 66 | 0 | 66 |
| 2006 | 76 | 0 | 76 |
| 2005 | 90 | 5 | 85 |
| 2004 | 74 | 0 | 74 |
| 2003 | 127 | 5 | 122 |
| 2002 | 155 | 0 | 155 |
| 2001 | 152 | 5 | 147 |
| 2000 | 203 | 0 | 203 |
| 1999 | 243 | 0 | 243 |
| 1998 | 250 | 0 | 250 |
| 1997 | 265 | 0 | 265 |
| 1996 | 312 | 0 | 312 |
| 1995 | 334 | 0 | 334 |
| 1994 | 415 | 8 | 407 |
| 1993 | 440 | 7 | 433 |
| 1992 | 474 | 8 | 466 |
| 1991 | 644 | 15 | 629 |
| 1990 | 686 | 8 | 678 |
| 1989 | 748 | 11 | 737 |
| 1988 | 843 | 11 | 832 |
| 1987 | 897 | 9 | 888 |
| 1986 | 924 | 12 | 912 |
| 1985 | 994 | 17 | 977 |
| 1984 | 1,214 | 19 | 1,195 |
| 1983 | 951 | 10 | 941 |
| 1982 | 992 | 10 | 982 |
| 1981 | 1,013 | 13 | 1,000 |
| 1980 | 988 | 6 | 982 |
| 1979 | 1,166 | 15 | 1,151 |
| 1978 | 1,334 | 11 | 1,323 |
| 1977 | 1,479 | 5 | 1,474 |
| 1976 | 1,473 | 7 | 1,466 |
| 1975 | 1,517 | 15 | 1,502 |
| 1974 | 1,248 | 17 | 1,231 |
| 1973 | 1,223 | 11 | 1,212 |
| 1972 | 1,131 | 16 | 1,115 |
| 1971 | 1,048 | 12 | 1,036 |
| 1970 | 809 | 7 | 802 |
| 1969 | 710 | 0 | 710 |
| 1968 | 629 | 7 | 622 |
| 1967 | 490 | 0 | 490 |
| 1966 | 321 | 0 | 321 |
| 1965 | 324 | 0 | 324 |
| 1964 | 352 | 0 | 352 |
| 1963 | 302 | 0 | 302 |
| 1962 | 266 | 5 | 261 |
| 1961 | 249 | 0 | 249 |
| 1960 | 245 | 6 | 239 |
| 1959 | 216 | 7 | 209 |
| 1958 | 155 | 5 | 150 |
| 1957 | 116 | 0 | 116 |
| 1956 | 101 | 0 | 101 |
| 1955 | 58 | 0 | 58 |
| 1954 | 62 | 0 | 62 |
| 1953 | 39 | 0 | 39 |
| 1952 | 33 | 0 | 33 |
| 1951 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1950 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1949 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1948 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1947 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1946 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Top States for Keri (2017)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 6 |