Keenan is a name of Irish origin, derived from the ancient Gaelic word "Cianán," which means "little old woman" or "wise woman." It is believed to have been a diminutive of the name Cían, meaning "ancient" or "enduring."
The name Keenan has a rich history in Ireland. According to legend, Saint Kevin of Glendalough, also known as Coemgen, was nicknamed Keenan due to his wisdom and holiness. He was a prominent figure in early Irish Christianity and is said to have performed many miracles.
In more recent times, the name Keenan has been popularized by various figures in popular culture. For instance, Keenen Ivory Wayans is an American actor, comedian, writer, and director known for his work on the TV series "In Living Color." Additionally, Keenan Allen is a professional American football player who plays for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Despite its association with wisdom and holiness, the name Keenan has not traditionally been among the most popular Irish names. However, it has gained some popularity in recent years as parents have sought out unique and meaningful names for their children.
In summary, Keenan is a name of Irish origin that means "little old woman" or "wise woman." It has a historic association with Saint Kevin of Glendalough and has been popularized by various figures in modern popular culture. Although not traditionally one of the most popular Irish names, Keenan offers a unique and meaningful option for parents looking to honor their Irish heritage.
The name Keenan has seen a varied trend of popularity over the past eight decades in the United States. The first recorded birth year for the name Keenan was 1942, with only seven newborns bearing this unique moniker.
From 1945 onwards, there was an increase in the number of babies named Keenan each year until reaching a peak of 31 births in 1955. This decade marked the start of Keenan's rise to modest popularity. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that Keenan began to gain significant traction among American parents.
In 1962, there were 97 babies named Keenan, and by 1963, this number had jumped to 120 births. The latter year marked a notable milestone for the name's popularity. Throughout most of the decade, Keenan maintained an average annual birth count ranging between 60 and 120.
The real turning point came during the late 1970s when Keenan started appearing more frequently among baby names. Between 1975 and 1980 alone, the number of newborns named Keenan nearly tripled, from 126 births in 1975 to a whopping 395 births by 1980.
The popularity of Keenan continued to soar throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, culminating in an impressive total of 667 births in 1991. However, this peak was followed by a gradual decline over the next few years.
By the turn of the century, Keenan's popularity had begun to level off once more, hovering around an average of 350-400 births per year between 2000 and 2010. Although it did experience some fluctuations during these years, overall, its popularity remained relatively stable.
In recent times, specifically from 2011 onwards, the name Keenan has seen a steady decline in popularity among newborns. Despite this downward trend, there were still over 260 babies named Keenan each year between 2011 and 2019 inclusive. In fact, according to the latest available data from the Social Security Administration, there were 216 births of Keenan in the United States during the year 2020.
In total, since its first recorded birth in 1942 up until 2022, the name Keenan has been given to a remarkable 17,854 newborns across America. Despite its fluctuations in popularity over time, it remains clear that Keenan is indeed a notable and enduring choice among American parents when selecting names for their children.
It's fascinating to observe how trends in naming evolve throughout history, reflecting cultural shifts and societal preferences. The statistics presented here illustrate the unique journey of the name Keenan across generations in the United States.