Keane
Of Irish origin, meaning "ancient" or "descending from an old family".
Name Census estimates that about 1,430 living Americans carry the first name Keane. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Keane today is around 26 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Keane births was 2007 (60 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Keane. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
1.4K
~ 1 in 239,688 Americans
Peak year
2007
60 babies that year
Average age
26
years old
2024 SSA rank
#6,632
Tracked since 1950
Popularity
Keane: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Keane from the 1950s through to the 2020s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 380 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2010s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Keane by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Keane during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Keanes live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. California, Hawaii, Texas recorded the most babies named Keane, while New York, Pennsylvania, Texas recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 38 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Keane
The name Keane originates from the Irish Gaelic language and culture, with its roots dating back to the medieval era. It is derived from the Irish word "caomh," which means "handsome" or "gentle." The name was initially spelled as "Caomhán" or "Caomhánach" in its original Gaelic form.
In ancient Irish mythology, Keane is believed to be associated with the legend of Caomhán, a warrior chieftain known for his bravery and leadership skills. This connection suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who exhibited similar qualities of courage and strength.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Keane can be traced back to the 9th century, when it was commonly used among the Irish nobility and ruling families. Historical records show that several prominent figures bore this name during the Middle Ages, including Keane Ó Loughlin, a renowned Irish poet and scholar from the 12th century.
One of the most notable individuals with the name Keane was Saint Keane of Glendalough, who lived in the 6th century AD. He was a renowned Irish monk, scholar, and founder of the monastic settlement at Glendalough, which became a significant center of learning and spirituality in medieval Ireland.
Another prominent figure bearing the name Keane was John Keane, an Irish-American soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. He was born in 1740 and played a crucial role in several battles, including the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Monmouth.
In the realm of literature, Keane O'Hara was an Irish poet and writer from the late 19th century, known for his works that celebrated Irish culture and heritage. He was born in 1859 and his poetry helped to preserve and promote the rich traditions of Ireland.
Moving into the 20th century, John Keane, born in 1949, was a distinguished British political theorist and professor who made significant contributions to the study of democracy and civil society. His works explored the complexities of political systems and the importance of democratic values.
Throughout history, the name Keane has been associated with individuals who have demonstrated strength, courage, and a connection to their Irish roots. Its origins and historical references highlight the cultural significance and enduring legacy of this name within the Irish tradition.
People
Keane + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Keane as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Keane: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Keane?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,430 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Keane going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 239,688 US residents.
Is Keane a common name?
We classify Keane as "Rare". It ranks above 92.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,474 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Keane most popular?
The single biggest year for Keane was 2007, when 60 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Keane is about 26 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Keane a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Keane in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.