At a glance
- In short
- Keygan is a modern masculine name of Gaelic origin, functioning as a variant of Keegan and ultimately derived from the Irish surname Ó Catháin, which means “descendant of Aodh” or “little fire.”
- U.S. rank 2025
- Not in the 2025 data · last seen 2022 (#12,330)
- Babies in 2022
- 5 (<0.01% of boys)
- Peak
- #3,286 in 2008
- First recorded
- 1996
Meaning of Keygan
Keygan is a modern masculine name of Gaelic origin, functioning as a variant of Keegan and ultimately derived from the Irish surname Ó Catháin, which means “descendant of Aodh” or “little fire.” Pronounced KEE-gan (/ˈkiːɡən/) in American English, it first appeared in U.S. birth records in the late 1990s, climbed into the top 900 by the early 2000s, peaked around rank 863 in 2013, and most recently held the 938th spot with five occurrences in 2022. Its distinctive spelling also evokes the English word “key,” lending the name a symbolic edge around ideas of unlocking potential—a quality that has resonated in multicultural, including Latin American, communities seeking fresh yet approachable names. Over two decades of steady use highlight Keygan’s blend of Celtic heritage, contemporary phonetics and cross-cultural appeal, making it a concise choice for parents who value both tradition and modernity.
How to pronounce Keygan
English
- Pronounced KEE-gan /ˈkiːɡən/
Popularity of Keygan in the U.S.
Keygan was last recorded in the U.S. in 2022, ranked #12,330 with 5 babies. It peaked at #3,286 in 2008. It first appears in the records in 1996.
- Rank among U.S. boy names (right scale, #1 at the top)
Year-by-year table, 1996–2022 25 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 12,330 | back (not recorded in 2021) |
| 2020 | 10 | 7,502 | ▲ 713 |
| 2019 | 9 | 8,215 | ▼ 598 |
| 2018 | 10 | 7,617 | ▲ 3,158 |
| 2017 | 6 | 10,775 | ▼ 4,986 |
| 2016 | 15 | 5,789 | ▼ 731 |
| 2015 | 18 | 5,058 | ▼ 520 |
| 2014 | 21 | 4,538 | ▼ 785 |
| 2013 | 27 | 3,753 | ▲ 1,729 |
| 2012 | 16 | 5,482 | ▼ 1,877 |
| 2011 | 29 | 3,605 | ▲ 103 |
| 2010 | 28 | 3,708 | ▲ 123 |
| 2009 | 27 | 3,831 | ▼ 545 |
| 2008 | 34 | 3,286 | ▲ 1,710 |
| 2007 | 18 | 4,996 | ▼ 891 |
| 2006 | 23 | 4,105 | ▲ 1,770 |
| 2005 | 13 | 5,875 | ▼ 2,140 |
| 2004 | 24 | 3,735 | ▲ 881 |
| 2003 | 17 | 4,616 | ▲ 3,840 |
| 2002 | 7 | 8,456 | ▼ 2,789 |
| 2001 | 12 | 5,667 | ▲ 2,542 |
| 2000 | 7 | 8,209 | ▼ 335 |
| 1999 | 7 | 7,874 | back (not recorded in 1998) |
| 1997 | 7 | 7,281 | ▼ 145 |
| 1996 | 7 | 7,136 | new |