Keegan is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Irish surname "Ó Gáagain," which means "descendant of Gaibhin." Gaibhin was a Norse Viking chief who settled in Ireland and founded the Uí Gáagain sept, also known as the O'Keeghan clan. The name Keegan is believed to have originated from this sept.
The meaning of the name Keegan is not entirely clear, but it is thought to be derived from the Irish word "gaibhin," which means "little fire." However, some sources suggest that the name may be derived from the Gaelic word "galan" or "galin," which means "slender" or "elegant."
The use of Keegan as a given name is relatively recent. Traditionally, it was used only as a surname. However, in the latter half of the 20th century, its use as a first name began to increase, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Today, Keegan is considered a modern and unique given name, often associated with individuals who are confident, energetic, and independent. Despite its growing popularity as a first name, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other names of Irish origin such as Patrick or Liam.
In terms of pronunciation, the name Keegan is typically pronounced /ˈkiːgən/ in English-speaking countries, with the stress on the first syllable and the long "i" sound as in "machine."
Overall, Keegan is a distinctive and interesting name with an intriguing history and origins. Its unique Irish heritage sets it apart from many other names in widespread use today.
The given statistics show the annual number of births for the name Keegan in the United States from 1995 to 2019. Over this period of time, there was a total of 299 babies named Keegan born in the U.S.
Looking at the trend over the years, we can see that the popularity of the name Keegan has fluctuated. The name first appeared on the scene with six births in 1995 and saw an increase to seven births in the following year. However, there was a dip in popularity between 1997 and 1998 as only five babies were named Keegan in those years.
The early 2000s saw a significant rise in the popularity of the name Keegan, with the highest number of births recorded in 2006 (28 births). This period also included two consecutive years where the name was among the top 1000 most popular baby names in the U.S.
Despite this peak, the popularity of the name began to decline after 2007. Between 2009 and 2014, there were consistently fewer than ten babies named Keegan born each year. This downward trend continued until 2018 and 2019, with only five births recorded in each of those years.
Despite the decline in popularity in recent years, it is interesting to note that the name Keegan has maintained a consistent presence throughout the given period. The statistics demonstrate how tastes and trends in baby names can change over time, even for a name like Keegan which has been relatively uncommon compared to more popular choices.