Keighan is a unique and distinctive given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the ancient Irish surname "Ó Caoimhín", which means "descendant of Caoimhín". The name Caoimhín itself comes from the Irish word "caomh" meaning "gentle", and the suffix "-ín" which denotes a diminutive or familiar form.
The name Keighan is believed to have emerged as a given name in its own right during the late Middle Ages, although it was still more commonly used as a surname at that time. Over the centuries, Keighan has been anglicized and adapted into various spellings, such as Keeghan, Kegan, Keagan, and others.
Keighan is not particularly associated with any specific historical figures or legendary characters. However, it has been used by several notable individuals throughout history, including the Irish poet and playwright, Sean O'Casey (1880-1964), whose real name was JohnFrancis O'Cathain, which is an Irish variant of Keighan.
Today, Keighan is still a relatively uncommon given name, but it continues to be chosen by parents who appreciate its unique sound and Irish heritage. It has also gained some popularity in recent years due to its use in popular culture, such as the television series "Pretty Little Liars" which featured a character named Keegan Dark. Despite its modern usage, Keighan remains deeply rooted in its ancient Irish origins, carrying with it the gentle spirit of its ancestor Caoimhín.
The statistics show that the name Keighan has seen a steady increase in popularity over time in the United States. Between 2006 and 2019, there were a total of 155 babies named Keighan born in the US.
The most popular year for the name was 2014 with 18 births, indicating that this year had the highest demand for the name among parents. Following closely behind were 2016 and 2017, each having 16 and 13 births respectively. This shows a consistent trend of popularity for the name Keighan during these years.
However, there were also some years where the name was less commonly chosen. For instance, in 2006 and 2018, only 7 babies were named Keighan each year. Similarly, 2011 had a relatively low count with just 6 births.
Despite these fluctuations, overall, the name Keighan has remained popular among parents over this time period, with an average of about 10 births per year. This demonstrates that while popularity may vary from year to year, the name Keighan has maintained consistent appeal over the course of nearly two decades in the United States.