The name Keen is of Scottish origin and it means "alert" or "discerning". It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "cean", which translates to "sharp-sighted" or "perceptive".
In Scotland, the name Keen was often used as a nickname for someone who was quick-witted or observant. It could also be used as a nickname for someone with a keen interest in a particular hobby or activity.
The earliest known use of the name Keen is from medieval Scotland, where it was used as both a given name and a nickname. In some cases, the name may have been used to indicate someone who had sharp eyesight, as the word "cean" also means "having keen vision".
Over time, the name Keen has become more popular in English-speaking countries around the world. Today, it is often used as a given name for boys and girls alike. While its meaning of "alert" or "discerning" remains unchanged, the name Keen continues to evoke images of sharp wit, perceptiveness, and keen observation.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Keen has seen a varied level of popularity over the past two and a half decades in the United States.
The highest peak in popularity occurred in 2019 and 2020, with both years seeing 12 births each. This is a significant increase from the previous years, indicating that there was a brief period where the name Keen gained more traction among parents choosing names for their newborns.
However, it's important to note that even during these peak years, the name Keen still remained relatively uncommon. With only 12 births in each of those years, it's clear that the name hasn't quite reached mainstream popularity.
The lowest point in popularity was seen in the years 1998 and 2017, with only 6 births each year. This suggests that during these periods, the name Keen was not commonly chosen for newborns.
Overall, while there have been some fluctuations in the popularity of the name Keen over the past two and a half decades, it remains relatively uncommon overall. With a total of 185 births recorded since 1998, parents who choose this name are likely to be drawn to its uniqueness rather than following current trends.
It's interesting to observe how the popularity of names can change over time, even for less common ones like Keen. As we continue to track these statistics in the coming years, it will be fascinating to see if the trend towards increased popularity continues or if the name Keen returns to its previous levels.