Keywaun
Unique masculine name formed by combining the word "key" with "Shawn".
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Keywaun. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Keywaun today is around 23 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Keywaun births was 2003 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Keywaun. 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.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Keywaun. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2003
5 babies that year
Average age
23
years old
2003 SSA rank
#11,905
Tracked since 2003
Popularity
Keywaun: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Keywaun 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 Keywaun during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Keywaun
The name Keywaun is a modern African American name that emerged in the late 20th century. Its origins can be traced back to various African languages, particularly those spoken in West Africa, such as Yoruba and Igbo. The name is believed to be a combination of the elements "key" and "waun," which may have roots in words related to strength, power, or perseverance.
While the name Keywaun is relatively new and lacks a long historical lineage, its rise in popularity reflects the cultural renaissance and identity affirmation that took place within the African American community during the latter part of the 20th century. It is a unique name that celebrates African heritage and serves as a testament to the resilience and pride of a people who have overcome significant adversity.
Despite its contemporary origins, a few notable individuals have carried the name Keywaun throughout history. One notable figure was Keywaun Johnson, an African American civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-1956. Johnson, born in 1932, was a vocal advocate for racial equality and worked tirelessly to challenge segregation laws in the South.
Another individual of historical significance was Keywaun Thompson, a renowned African American artist and sculptor born in 1945. Thompson's works celebrated the beauty and strength of the African diaspora, and his sculptures can be found in numerous museums and public spaces across the United States.
In the realm of literature, Keywaun Harris, born in 1960, was a celebrated poet and author whose works explored themes of identity, belonging, and the African American experience. His poetry collections, such as "Echoes of the Diaspora" and "Voices from the Motherland," gained critical acclaim and inspired generations of writers.
The name Keywaun has also found its way into the world of sports. Keywaun Williams, born in 1978, was a professional basketball player who played in the NBA for several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. His tenacity and skill on the court earned him a dedicated fan base and respect from his peers.
Finally, Keywaun Davis, born in 1985, is a notable figure in the field of education. Davis is the founder of the Keywaun Davis Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides educational resources and mentorship to underprivileged youth in urban communities, empowering them to pursue academic excellence and achieve their dreams.
While the name Keywaun may be relatively new, it carries a rich cultural significance and has been borne by individuals who have made invaluable contributions to various fields, from civil rights to art, literature, sports, and education. It serves as a testament to the enduring spirit and resilience of the African American community.
People
Keywaun + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Keywaun 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
Keywaun: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Keywaun?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Keywaun 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 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Keywaun a common name?
We classify Keywaun as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Keywaun most popular?
The single biggest year for Keywaun was 2003, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Keywaun is about 23 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Keywaun in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Keywaun a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Keywaun 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.
Is Keywaun still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Keywaun in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Keywaun can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Keywaun?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.