Kealan is an Irish surname and given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Cialán," which means "comely" or "handsome." The name Cialán was originally a byname, or nickname, used to describe someone who was physically attractive or had a pleasant appearance.
The name Kealan is believed to have originated in County Cork, Ireland. It was traditionally used as a surname first and foremost, but it has also been used as a given name since the Middle Ages. In fact, there are several historical figures with the name Kealan, including Kealan O'Higgin, who was a 13th-century Irish chieftain.
Over time, the spelling of the name has varied somewhat. Some common variations include Kealon, Kaelan, and even Kylan. However, the most traditional spelling is still Kealan.
Today, Kealan remains a relatively rare name, but it continues to be used as both a surname and given name in Ireland and beyond. Its meaning of "handsome" makes it a popular choice among parents looking for a name that signifies beauty or attractiveness.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Kealan in the United States from 1989 to 2023. Over this period, there were a total of 329 babies named Kealan born in the US.
The highest number of Kealans was born in 2010, with 18 births that year. This is more than double the lowest annual total, which occurred in both 1989 and 2022 with just 5 births each. There were several years where the number of births with this name reached double digits, including four consecutive years from 2007 to 2010.
However, it seems that the popularity of the name Kealan has been declining in recent years. From a peak of 18 births in 2010, the annual total has fallen below 10 each year since then, with only one exception (16 births in 2012). The most recent data available shows that there were just 5 births with this name in both 2022 and 2023.
Overall, while Kealan was a relatively uncommon baby name in the US during the period covered by these statistics, it experienced some periods of popularity, particularly around the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, its usage has been decreasing in recent years.