Keenan

Keenan - A very unique male name

Keenan appeared on the charts for the first time in 1955 on position #1298. In this article you'll learn the history of this name, statistics, see famous people named Keenan and more.
Are you having a baby or looking to learn more about the name Keenan? Our experts and editorial staff have gathered trends and insights for 30,000+ baby names over the last 100 years -- And on this page you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about the name Keenan. The baby boy name Keenan was given to 74 baby boys in 2025, ranking #1453 on the national boy baby name top chart.


With that position 1 in 19,815 baby boys were given this name - making this a very unique male name according to our Popularity Score algorithm. Keenan peaked in popularity 29 years ago in 1997 on position 349.

Famous with this name

How would you rate Keenan, 1-5?

Keenan is currently topping the charts in...

Did you know that popularity can vary a lot between states? Keenan is currently topping the baby name charts in West Virginia at position #352 - and is the least popular in California at position #1,921.

Why care about state specific baby name charts? It could be that a name that is very popular on the national overall charts is less (or even more) popular where you live. So make sure you check out the state specific charts below and find out how popular or unique Keenan is where you live.

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Keenan origin and meaning

Irish, from a surname

From the Irish surname Ó Cianáin, 'descendant of Cian' — Cian being an old name meaning 'ancient, enduring'

Keenan began as an Irish surname and became a boy's first name in America in the second half of the 20th century. It peaked in 1997 and has fallen steadily since. Its root, Cian, is one of the oldest Irish names in use.

Attested etymology

Keenan is a 6 letter name with 2 syllables.

To see famous people named Keenan, pop culture references for the name Keenan and nicknames & variations - visit Nameberry or Wikipedia.

Similar to Keenan

We've found the following names that sound similar to Keenan, sorted by popularity.

Kenny / Keegan / Kim / Ken / Kane / Kayson / Kason / Kian / Kasen / Kyson /

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Name statistics

Most parents-to-be know if they want a popular or unique name, and with these charts and data tables you can easily get a better understanding of how popular or unique this name is.

With a quick glance you can easily tell if this name is increasing or declining in popularity - But note that its current popularity can actually differ a lot from state to state.

Chart position per year (visualized)

Chart position per state (visualized)

Chart position per year (table view)

Chart position per state (table view)

Even more about Keenan

These are some of the common questions you may want to have answered to know if this is the perfect name for your baby.

Is Keenan a common or unique name?

By analyzing the number of births and frequency of this name we've determined that it's currently a very unique male name.

What is the number of syllables for the name Keenan?

2 syllables. Why is this important? One of the things that makes a baby name sound good and have a nice rythm is the number of syllables - and especially the number of syllables along with the syllable count for your last name. A simple rule is to avoid having the same number of syllables in your first, middle and last name.

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Pronunciation

KEE-nun · /ˈkiːnən/

Around the world

No traditional forms in other languages — this name was created in America in our own time.

Spellings and nicknames

• Kenan — A different name — Turkish and biblical — that sounds almost identical; not a variant.
• Keenen — An occasional respelling, not established.

Famous bearers

• Keenan Wynn — American character actor, a familiar face in film and television for four decades (1916–1986) Historical
• Keenan Allen — American football wide receiver, a long-time Pro Bowl player (b. 1992) Contemporary

Style

SurnameInternational

Why parents choose it

Keenan is a friendly Irish surname name that was biggest in the 1990s and is quieter now. It still feels sporty and approachable.

Worth knowing

• Kenan Thompson's different spelling is the one most people know — expect Keenan to be written Kenan.
• It peaked in 1997, so it may read as a 1990s name.