Keegan

BoyIrish· “son of Aodhagán”

Meaning
son of Aodhagán
Origin
Irish
Pronunciation
KEE-gun
Syllables
2
US rank 2025
#621
US babies 2025
449
Best rank
#222 (2007)
Peak year
2007

Meaning and origin of Keegan

Keegan is an Irish name that means “son of Aodhagán”.

Keegan comes from the Irish surname Mac Aodhagáin, meaning "son of Aodhagán." Aodhagán is a diminutive of Aodh, an old Irish name meaning "fire," so the name ultimately carries a fiery meaning. The MacEgan family was known in medieval Ireland as a hereditary family of lawyers. As a first name Keegan became popular in the United States in the late twentieth century, along with other Irish surnames such as Keenan and Kieran. It is energetic and friendly, with a crisp sound that feels modern while keeping an old Irish root.

Other spellings with the same sound: Keagan.

Popularity over time

05001k1.5k2k197019801990200020102020Peak 2007: 1,707
US boysUS girls

Keegan first appears in US Social Security records in 1965. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 47 different years, starting in 1979. Its best national rank was #222 in 2007, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,707 babies. In 2025, 449 babies were named Keegan, and it ranked #621 nationally. That is 67% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.

Its national rank moved from #845 in 1980, #285 in 2000, #246 in 2010, and #621 in 2025. Of the 38,519 US boys named Keegan since records began, 36% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 12,718 babies. Since 2010, 15,808 more have been named Keegan.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Rafael, Israel, Landen, Aden, and Caiden.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Keegan ranked highest in West Virginia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

StateRank thereBabies
West Virginia#2418
Massachusetts#26023
Connecticut#3499
Iowa#35810
Illinois#37229

Gender, sound and spelling

About 91% of US babies named Keegan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.

Keegan is usually pronounced KEE-gun, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with K and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Keagan.

Middle names for Keegan

A few middle names that flow with Keegan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
River Unisex
RIH-vur
“river” · English
#111

Sibling names for Keegan

Similar names

Aidan Boy
AY-dihn
“little fire” · Irish
#326
Bryan Boy
BRY-uhn
“possibly high or noble” · Irish
#336
Declan Boy
DEHK-luhn
“uncertain; often said full of goodness” · Irish
#139
Ronan Boy
ROH-nuhn
“little seal” · Irish
#247
Killian Boy
KIHL-ee-uhn
“possibly 'little church'” · Irish
#418
Kieran Boy
KEER-uhn
“little dark one” · Irish
#389
Kian Boy
KEE-uhn
“ancient, enduring” · Irish
#401
Callan Boy
KA-luhn
“uncertain; from an Irish or Scottish surname” · Irish
#190
Lochlan Boy
LAHK-luhn
“land of lakes” · Scottish
#644
Cillian Boy
KIH-lee-uhn
“uncertain; possibly church or strife” · Irish
#507
Kylian Boy
KIH-lee-uhn
“form of Cillian; meaning uncertain” · Irish
#624
Ryan Boy
RY-uhn
“little king” · Irish
#99

Lists that include Keegan

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Keegan mean?

Keegan is an Irish name that means “son of Aodhagán”.

What is the origin of the name Keegan?

Keegan has Irish roots. Keegan comes from the Irish surname Mac Aodhagáin, meaning "son of Aodhagán." Aodhagán is a diminutive of Aodh, an old Irish name meaning "fire," so the name ultimately carries a fiery meaning.

Is Keegan a popular name?

Yes. Keegan ranked #621 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.

Is Keegan a boy or girl name?

Keegan is mainly a boy's name. About 91% of US babies named Keegan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.

How do you pronounce Keegan?

Keegan is usually pronounced KEE-gun. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.

Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings