Keagan

Meaning of Keagan

Keagan, a contemporary respelling of the Irish surname Keegan, traces its etymology to the Gaelic patronymic Mac Aodhagáin, “descendant of Aodhagán,” itself a diminutive of Aodh meaning “fire,” and thus carries an implicit reference to elemental vigor. In keeping with late-twentieth-century Anglo-American naming patterns that elevated streamlined, two-syllable surnames to given-name status, Keagan migrated smoothly from family register to birth certificate, its balanced consonantal structure and unobtrusive vowel sounds fostering broad, unisex appeal. United States census data reveal a modest yet sustained ascent from the late 1980s through the early 2010s, peaking just outside the top 450 before settling near the 800s today, a statistical profile that signals recognizability without saturation. Pronounced KEE-gən (/ˈkiːgən/), the name merges phonetic clarity with historical depth, allowing modern bearers to inhabit both a cosmopolitan present and a Celtic past; such dual resonance often recommends Keagan to parents seeking a designation that quietly conveys resilience, heritage, and understated distinction.