Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Keith
BoyScottish· “from a Scottish place name”
- Meaning
- from a Scottish place name
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- KEETH
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #801
- US babies 2025
- 311
- Best rank
- #32 (1966)
- Peak year
- 1957
Meaning and origin of Keith
Keith is a Scottish name that is usually said to mean “from a Scottish place name”.
Keith comes from a Scottish surname taken from a place name in East Lothian. The place name is often thought to come from a Brittonic word meaning wood, though this is not certain. The surname belonged to a powerful family who held the hereditary title of Earl Marischal of Scotland for centuries. Keith became popular as a first name in the twentieth century across the English-speaking world. It is short, sturdy and friendly, and today it has a classic, somewhat retro feel.
Popularity over time
Keith first appears in US Social Security records in 1888. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 136 different years, starting in 1888. Its best national rank was #32 in 1966, and the most babies received it in 1957, when 12,437 were named Keith. In 2025, 311 babies were named Keith, and it ranked #801 nationally. That is 57% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #175 in 1920, #78 in 1950, #56 in 1980, #222 in 2000, #346 in 2010, and #801 in 2025. Of the 437,907 US boys named Keith since records began, 26% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 91,235 babies. Since 2010, 9,420 more have been named Keith.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Peter, Ricky, Bruce, Terry, and Dale.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Keith ranked highest in Missouri, South Carolina, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | #477 | 13 |
| South Carolina | #486 | 10 |
| Louisiana | #559 | 8 |
| Ohio | #568 | 18 |
| Oklahoma | #594 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Keith is usually pronounced KEETH, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-th”.
Middle names for Keith
A few middle names that flow with Keith: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Keith
Similar names
Kenneth Boy
KEH-nihth
“handsome; or born of fire” · Scottish
#294
Heath Boy
HEETH
“heath, open land with heather” · English
#932
Seth Boy
SEHTH
“appointed” · Hebrew
#581
Scott Boy
SKAHT
“a Scot, a Gaelic speaker” · Scottish
#534
Bruce Boy
BROOS
“from Brix, a place in Normandy” · Scottish
#536
Roy Boy
ROY
“red; often linked to king” · Scottish
#525
Mack Boy
MAK
“son of” · Scottish
#463
Neil Boy
NEEL
“uncertain; possibly 'champion' or 'cloud'” · Irish
#851
Laith Boy
LAYTH
“lion” · Arabic
#896
Kyle Boy
KYL
“narrow strait” · Scottish
#509
Grant Boy
GRANT
“large, tall” · Scottish
#228
Knox Boy
NAHKS
“round hill” · Scottish
#196
Lists that include Keith
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Keith mean?
Keith is a Scottish name that is usually said to mean “from a Scottish place name”.
What is the origin of the name Keith?
Keith has Scottish roots. Keith comes from a Scottish surname taken from a place name in East Lothian.
Is Keith a popular name?
Yes. Keith ranked #801 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Keith a boy or girl name?
Keith is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Keith?
Keith is usually pronounced KEETH. 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