Keegan

Pronunciation: [ k-EEG-uhn ]

Girl Name #2,940 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Little fire — an Irish name burning bright for girls

Irish American English

Earthy Bold Modern Playful Strong

Meaning & Origin

"little fire, descendant of the fiery one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: English

"son of Egan (descendant of fire)"

Origin: Irish

Language: English

The Story of Keegan

Keegan is an anglicization of the Irish surname Mac Aodhagáin, meaning 'son of Aodhagán,' a diminutive of Aodh, the Celtic god of fire. So Keegan's etymological journey leads back to 'little fire' or 'small flame.' Originally a surname, it followed the trend of Irish surnames becoming American given names for both boys and girls.

Keegan was primarily used as a male name in the US through the 1990s and early 2000s, then began gaining traction as a gender-neutral and girl's name, following the pattern of Irish surname names like Reagan, Quinn, and Teagan that became popular for girls.

Irish surname names have been particularly popular as girls' names in America, carrying a sense of Celtic heritage and strength. Keegan fits the 'tough-girl Irish name' category alongside Quinn, Teagan, and Reagan, appealing to parents who want a strong, distinctive name with Irish roots.

Fun Facts

The name traces back to Aodh, the Celtic sun and fire deity
Keegan-Michael Key is an American comedian known for Key & Peele
Irish surname names for girls (Quinn, Reagan, Teagan, Keegan) surged in US popularity in the 2000s-2010s

Keegan in Other Languages

Irish Mac Aodhagáin

French Keegan

Spanish Keegan

Famous People Named Keegan

Keegan-Michael Key

Entertainer

1971

American comedian, actor, and producer known for Key & Peele and numerous film roles

Keegan Connor Tracy

Actor

1971

Canadian actress known for Once Upon a Time and 2 Broke Girls

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,940
Total SSA Count: 56
Cultural Origins: Irish American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Kee Keeg

Pairs Well With

Keegan Rose Keegan Mae Keegan Grace Keegan Jane Keegan Claire Keegan Ann Keegan Nicole

Sibling Names

Declan Teagan Finn Maeve Rowan Sloane Quinn

Also a Boy Name

Keegan is also used as a boy name, ranked #595.

View Keegan as a boy name →

Similar Names

Reagan Megan Regan Meghan Reagan Tegan Raegan Keegan

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Keegan

What does the name Keegan mean?

"little fire, descendant of the fiery one" (from Irish Gaelic). "son of Egan (descendant of fire)" (from Irish). Keegan is an anglicization of the Irish surname Mac Aodhagáin, meaning 'son of Aodhagán,' a diminutive of Aodh, the Celtic god of fire. So Keegan's etymological journey leads back to 'little fire' or 'small flame.' Originally a surname, it followed the trend of Irish surnames becoming American given names for both boys and girls.

What is the origin of the name Keegan?

Keegan has Irish Gaelic, Irish, American, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "little fire, descendant of the fiery one". In Irish, it means "son of Egan (descendant of fire)".

Is Keegan a boy or girl name?

Keegan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2940. As a boy name, it is ranked #595. Keegan is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Keegan?

Keegan is pronounced k-EEG-uhn.

How popular is the name Keegan?

Keegan is currently ranked #2940 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Keegan?

Common nicknames for Keegan include Kee and Keeg.

What are good middle names for Keegan?

Popular middle name pairings include Keegan Rose, Keegan Mae, Keegan Grace, Keegan Jane, Keegan Claire, Keegan Ann, and Keegan Nicole.

What are good sibling names for Keegan?

Names that pair well with Keegan as siblings include Declan, Teagan, Finn, Maeve, Rowan, Sloane, and Quinn.

How many syllables does Keegan have?

Keegan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Keegan a common or rare name?

Keegan is an uncommon name, ranked #2940 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Keegan

Keegan is a girl name with Irish, American, and English origins . The name means "little fire, descendant of the fiery one" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Keegan a boy or girl name? Keegan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,940 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #595. Keegan is more commonly used as a boy name.

Keegan is currently ranked #2,940 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Keegan has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-EEG-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Keegan include Kee and Keeg. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.