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Keegan

♂ Boy

Pronounced KEE-gan /ˈkiː.ɡən/High

Meaning: Anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic surname Mac Aodhagáin, meaning 'son of Aodhagán,' a diminutive of Aodh meaning 'fire'; thus Keegan ultimately means 'little fire' or 'descendant of the fiery one'High

In 30 seconds: Keegan is an Irish surname-name meaning 'son of Aodhagán' — or 'little fire.' Clean, two-syllable, and full of Celtic warmth, it has been a steady U.S. boys' name since the 1990s.
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Origin HighIrish Gaelic
MeaningAnglicised form of the Irish Gaelic surname Mac Aodhagáin, meaning 'son of Aodhagán,' a diminutive of Aodh meaning 'fire'; thus Keegan ultimately means 'little fire' or 'descendant of the fiery one'
U.S. rank (2025)#621 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births449 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 38,512

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200719652025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Keegan is the anglicised form of the Irish surname Mac Aodhagáin, meaning 'son of Aodhagán.' Aodhagán is a double diminutive of Aodh ('fire'), the Old Irish and Celtic god of fire and sun. The MacAodhagáin family were hereditary lawyers and scholars in medieval Ireland.

Keegan entered common use as a given name in the United States in the 1990s, alongside other Irish surname-names like Kennedy, Kieran, and Callahan. It has maintained steady popularity and ranks in the U.S. top 300 boys' names. Its clean sound and Celtic heritage make it appealing to families with Irish roots.

Did you know? The Gaelic Aodh (fire) is the same root that gives us Aidan, Hugh, and Mackay — making Keegan part of a vast Irish-Scottish fire-name family that has produced some of the most popular names in the English-speaking world.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Keegan — Irish Gaelic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KeaganKeagenKegan

Nicknames

Kee

Famous Bearers

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If you like Keegan…

Declan— Irish Gaelic boys' name with the same two-syllable clean Celtic appeal
Kieran— Irish Gaelic boys' name sharing the same clan-surname origin pattern
Brennan— Irish surname-name with the same two-syllable rhythm and Celtic character
Ronan— Irish Gaelic boys' name with the same saintly, clan-heritage depth

Frequently Asked

What does the name Keegan mean?

Keegan is from Irish Gaelic Mac Aodhagáin meaning 'son of Aodhagán,' with Aodh meaning 'fire' — making Keegan essentially 'descendant of the fiery one.'

How do you pronounce Keegan?

It is said KEE-gan — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Keegan a boy or girl name?

Keegan is used predominantly as a boys' name, occasionally for girls.

How popular is Keegan?

Keegan ranks in the U.S. top 300 boys' names and has been a steady name since the 1990s when Irish surname-names surged in popularity.