Find out how popular the first name Keena has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Keena by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Keena is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 93% of people named Keena being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Keena.

The history of the first name Keena

The name Keena is believed to have originated from the Irish Gaelic language, where it was derived from the word "caoin," meaning "gentle" or "kind." This name gained popularity in Ireland during the medieval period, particularly among the Gaelic Irish clans.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Keena can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The text mentions a woman named Keena Ní Dhomhnaill, who lived in the 14th century and was a member of the powerful Ó Domhnaill (O'Donnell) clan.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Keena Ó Conchobhair was a prominent scribe and scholar from County Sligo, Ireland. He was renowned for his work in preserving and transcribing ancient Irish manuscripts, contributing to the preservation of Irish literature and history.

The name Keena has also been associated with religious figures in Irish history. In the 7th century, St. Keena (or Cainnech) of Aghaboe was a renowned Irish abbot and monastic founder who established several monasteries in Ireland, including the famous Aghaboe Abbey in County Laois.

Another historical figure bearing the name Keena was Keena O'Rahilly, an Irish revolutionary and activist who lived from 1875 to 1949. He played a significant role in the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Irish Revolutionary Movement, fighting for Irish independence from British rule.

In more recent times, Keena Lipsitz (born 1951) is an American economist and academic who has made significant contributions to the field of labor economics and has served as a professor at various prestigious universities, including the University of California, Berkeley.

While the name Keena has its roots in Irish Gaelic culture, it has also been adopted and used in other parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the rich heritage and traditions of Ireland.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Keena was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Keena, please contact us.

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