All about the name
Keegan
Male
« Keegan is an Irish name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Ó Seanáin meaning "descendant of Seanán," a diminutive form of Seán which means "old" or "wise." It has been used as both a surname and given name over time, with some influence from the English name Kevin. Today, Keegan is typically considered a male name but can also be used for females, and it gained popularity in the late 20th century. »
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Meaning, origin, history
Keegan is an Irish surname turned given name, derived from the Irish surname Ó Seanáin, which means "descendant of Seanán." The personal name Seanán is a diminutive form of the name Seán, meaning "old," "wise," or "God is gracious." Thus, Keegan can be translated to mean "littleSean" or "small Sean."
The Ó Seanáin clan was part of the Uí Fiachrach dynasty and originated from County Mayo in Ireland. Over time, Keegan became more commonly used as a given name rather than a surname. In some cases, Keegan may also have been influenced by the English given name Kevin, which shares a similar sound.
Keegan is not widely documented throughout history, but it has appeared occasionally in various contexts. One notable example is Keegan de Lacy, an Irish soldier and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for North Kerry from 1874 to 1875.
Today, Keegan is typically considered a male given name but can also be used for females. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the late 20th century and early 21st century. In some cultures, it may have different associations or interpretations due to its Irish origins and unique sound.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Keegan since 1880
Total births
37,569
Total since 1880
Peak year
2007
1,707 births
in 2023
441
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-44%
↘
vs previous 5 years