"son of the fiery one"
Keagan
Pronunciation: [ k-EEG-uhn ]
A fiery Irish name from Celtic mythology
Meaning & Origin
"descendant of Aodh (fire)"
The Story of Keagan
Keagan is an anglicized variant spelling of Keegan, which derives from the Irish surname Mac Aodhagáin, meaning 'son of Aodhagán.' Aodhagán is a diminutive of Aodh, the Irish god of fire in Celtic mythology, whose name means 'fire' or 'fiery one.' The Mac Aodhagáin clan were hereditary judges (brehons) in medieval Connacht, making Keegan/Keagan a name with both spiritual and legal heritage.
Keagan and its variants (Keegan, Kegan) rose in popularity in the United States from the 1990s through the 2010s as Irish-heritage names became fashionable. The -an/-en sound ending proved particularly popular in American boys' names during this period.
The Irish god Aodh (fire) was associated with summer, the sun, and the sacred flame. Names derived from Aodh carry this connection to elemental power. The Mac Aodhagáin family's role as hereditary brehon judges also gives Keagan associations with law, wisdom, and tradition.
Fun Facts
- The Irish god Aodh gives his name not only to Keegan but also to Hugh in English translation
- The Mac Aodhagáin clan were hereditary judges who served the royal families of Connacht for centuries
- Keegan is also a surname common in Ireland
Keagan in Other Languages
Famous People Named Keagan
Keegan-Michael Key
Actor
1971
American comedian and actor known for Key & Peele
Kevin Keegan
Athlete
1951
English football legend, former player and manager of the England national team
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,617
- Total SSA Count
- 105
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Keagan is also used as a girl name, ranked #4099.
View Keagan as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Keagan
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About the Name Keagan
Keagan is a boy name with Irish, American, and English origins . The name means "son of the fiery one" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Keagan a boy or girl name? Keagan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,617 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,099. Keagan is more commonly used as a boy name.
Keagan is currently ranked #1,617 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Keagan has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-EEG-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Keagan include Keag and Keg. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.