Keanu

♂ Boy

Pronounced kee-AH-noo /kiˈɑː.nuː/High

Meaning: From Hawaiian ke anu meaning the cool or the coolness; also interpreted as the cool breeze or cool mountain air; ke is the definite article and anu means cool or coldHigh

In 30 seconds: A beautiful Hawaiian name meaning cool breeze, Keanu was brought to international attention by actor Keanu Reeves and is now beloved far beyond Hawaii for its gentle, natural imagery.

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Origin HighHawaiian

MeaningFrom Hawaiian ke anu meaning the cool or the coolness; also interpreted as the cool breeze or cool mountain air; ke is the definite article and anu means cool or cold

U.S. rank (2025)#649 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births427 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2020

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,691

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Keanu is a Hawaiian name composed of ke (the Hawaiian definite article) and anu (cold, cool), giving the full meaning the cool or the cool breeze. Hawaiian names frequently incorporate natural imagery — winds, waters, mountains, and light — as Hawaiians traditionally maintained deep spiritual connections to the natural environment. The name was used in Hawaii before it became known internationally.

Internationally, Keanu became widely recognized through the career of actor Keanu Reeves, who rose to fame in films including Point Break (1991), Speed (1994), and The Matrix (1999). Following his success, Keanu appeared on U.S. birth records in increasing numbers through the 1990s and 2000s. It remains a distinctive and warmly regarded name, appreciated both for its Hawaiian natural meaning and its association with the beloved actor.

Did you know? Actor Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to a mother of English and Chinese descent and a father of Native Hawaiian and Chinese descent — his Hawaiian given name reflects that Indigenous heritage.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Keanu — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KianKiano

Nicknames

Kea

Famous Bearers

★Keanu Reeves (1964–present)
Canadian actor, star of The Matrix and John Wick franchises.

If you like Keanu…

Kai— shares the Hawaiian/Pacific origin and the same breezy, nature-rooted quality

Koa— fellow Hawaiian name with a natural-world meaning and the same warm Pacific feel

Kekoa— another Hawaiian name

Kaleo— another nature pick

Keoni— shares Keanu's Hawaiian roots

Explore names like Keanu

By themenature three-syllable hawaiian

By meaningEarth / Nature Wind / Air

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Keanu mean?

Keanu is Hawaiian, meaning the cool or cool breeze over the mountains. It comes from ke (the) and anu (cool, cold).

How do you pronounce Keanu?

It is said kee-AH-noo /kiˈɑː.nuː/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Keanu a popular name?

Keanu is rare outside Hawaii but has appeared in U.S. birth records since the 1990s, boosted by the fame of actor Keanu Reeves.

Is Keanu a Hawaiian name?

Yes, Keanu is a traditional Hawaiian name meaning the cool breeze, reflecting the Hawaiian tradition of names drawn from the natural world.