Find out how popular the first name Keir has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Keir by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Keir is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Keir being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 13 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Keir.

The history of the first name Keir

The given name Keir has its origins in medieval Scotland. It is derived from an Old Norse word "kier," which means "marsh" or "boggy meadow." The name's earliest recorded use dates back to the 13th century in Scotland.

In ancient Scottish clan histories, the name Keir is associated with the Clan Keith, a prominent family that held lands in East Lothian and Kincardineshire. The Keiths were known for their involvement in significant historical events, including the Wars of Scottish Independence against England in the 13th and 14th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name Keir was Sir Robert de Keir, a Scottish knight who fought alongside William Wallace and Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.

Another notable figure with the name Keir was George Keith, 10th Earl Marischal (1693-1778), a Scottish nobleman and Jacobite supporter who played a significant role in the Jacobite Risings of the early 18th century.

In literature, the name Keir appears in the works of Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, who mentioned characters with this name in his historical novels, such as "The Talisman" and "The Fortunes of Nigel."

Other notable individuals with the name Keir include:

1. Keir Hardie (1856-1915), a Scottish politician and founder of the British Labour Party.
2. Keir Dullea (born 1936), an American actor known for his role in the film "2001: A Space Odyssey."
3. Keir Gilchrist (born 1992), a British-Canadian actor known for his roles in the films "It's Kind of a Funny Story" and the TV series "Atypical."
4. Keir Starmer (born 1962), a British politician and the current Leader of the Labour Party.
5. Keir Noughton (born 1986), a Canadian musician and singer-songwriter.

While the name Keir has Scottish origins and historical connections, it has gained popularity worldwide, particularly in English-speaking countries, and has been adopted by individuals from various cultural backgrounds.

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

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

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