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

Popularity of Keenan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Keenan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Keenan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 186 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Keenan.

The history of the first name Keenan

The name Keenan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Cionaodh, which means "ancient" or "born of fire." It has its roots in ancient Celtic culture and was commonly used in Ireland during the early medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Keenan can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the 9th century, a man named Cionaodh mac Scannláin is mentioned as the King of Uí Fiachrach Aidne, a medieval Irish kingdom.

The name gained popularity in the Christian tradition, as it was borne by several Irish saints and religious figures. Saint Cionaodh of Inis Endaimh, who lived in the 6th century, was a renowned Irish monk and is celebrated in the Irish martyrologies.

Throughout history, the name has been associated with notable individuals. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Cionaodh Ó hArtacáin (c. 950–1031), an Irish poet and scholar from County Roscommon. Another famous Keenan was Cionaodh Ó Muirchertaigh (c. 1140–1224), a medieval Irish poet and historian from County Mayo.

In more recent times, notable individuals with the name Keenan include:

1. Keenan Wynn (1916–1986), an American character actor known for his roles in films like "Dr. Strangelove" and "Nashville."
2. Keenan Ivory Wayans (born 1958), an American actor, comedian, and writer, best known as the creator of the popular sketch comedy show "In Living Color."
3. Keenan Allen (born 1992), an American football wide receiver who plays for the Los Angeles Chargers in the National Football League (NFL).
4. Keenan Cahill (born 1995), an American internet celebrity and lip-sync artist, known for his popular YouTube videos.
5. Keenan Lewis (born 1986), a former American football cornerback who played in the NFL for teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints.

While the name Keenan has its roots in ancient Irish culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and has been adopted by people from diverse backgrounds, continuing to be a popular choice for parents around the world.

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 Keenan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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