Keenen Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Keenen is an Irish name that means 'gentle' or 'handsome,' originating from the Gaelic surname O'Caoinín. It has evolved through historical forms such as O'Caoinín and Caoinín. The name is not biblically referenced. Its popularity has grown in recent years, particularly among those with Irish roots. Variants include Keenan and Keen. Today, it is seen as a distinctive name linked to creativity, and notable individuals with this name include Keenen Ivory Wayans and Keenen Thompson.
The name Keenen is most popular in South Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Keenen has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Keenen' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10718th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1837th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3389th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 9051st out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Keenen' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Keenen"
Pronunciation
/ˈkiːnən/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Keenen is derived from the Gaelic surname O'Caoinín, which means 'descendant of Caoinín.' The root 'caoin' translates to 'gentle' or 'handsome.'
Meaning
gentle, handsome
Language Evolution
O'Caoinín, Caoinín, Keenen
Historical Usage
The name Keenen has roots in Irish culture and has been used historically among Irish families. Its usage has become more widespread in recent decades, especially in communities with Irish heritage.
Variants & Derivatives
Keenan, Keen, Cuan
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Keenen is perceived as a unique and modern name, often associated with creativity and individuality.
Famous People
Keenen Ivory Wayans, Keenen Thompson
Explore More Keenen Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Keenen"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Keenen"
"Keenen" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10718th of 10718 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1837th of 16616 | 627 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3389th of 24088 | 459 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 9051st of 23106 | 90 |
Regional Popularity of "Keenen" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
40.24% 1483rd/3685 |
34.15% 1528th/4475 |
28.59% 1485th/5194 |
41.05% 2593rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
56.22% 2576th/4582 |
57.15% 2951st/5164 |
37.71% 2758th/7313 |
54.62% 4076th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Keenen" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Keenen"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Keenen" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.