Keeghan is a unique and uncommon name of Irish origin. It is believed to be a variant spelling of the name Keegan, which itself is derived from the Irish surname Ó Séagáin. This surname comes from the Gaelic elements "seachan," meaning "swift" or "speedy," and the diminutive suffix "-án." Therefore, Keeghan could be interpreted as meaning "little swift one."
The name Keegan itself has a rich history in Ireland, with several notable figures bearing this name. One of the most famous is Seaghan Buide Ó Dubhthaigh, who was a Gaelic Irish chieftain and poet during the 15th century. The surname Keegan is also found among some of the oldest and most prominent families in County Galway.
While Keeghan is not as widely known or used as its root name Keegan, it has been occasionally recorded in Ireland and Scotland. It may have gained popularity through these connections or perhaps through influence from other similar names like Kevin or Kegan.
Today, Keeghan remains a rare and distinctive name choice for parents looking for something unique for their child. Its Irish heritage and meaningful derivation make it an appealing option for those interested in cultural significance and history behind names.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Keeghan has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States.
In the early to mid-1990s, the number of babies named Keeghan was relatively low, with only 6 births recorded each year from 1992 to 1995. However, there was a significant increase starting in 1996, with 9 births that year. This upward trend continued through 2008, reaching its peak with 30 births recorded that year.
Interestingly, the popularity of the name Keeghan seemed to fluctuate quite a bit after its peak in 2008. From 2009 to 2014, the number of babies named Keeghan decreased, with fewer than 30 births recorded each year. However, there was another slight increase from 2015 to 2017, with 10 to 11 births per year.
After reaching a recent high in 2017 with 11 births, the popularity of Keeghan has declined once again, with only 6 births recorded each year from 2018 to 2019. Overall, there have been a total of 354 babies named Keeghan born in the United States since 1992.
While it's difficult to predict future trends based on this data alone, it appears that Keeghan has had periods of both popularity and obscurity over the past few decades. It will be interesting to see how its popularity changes in the coming years.