Keanu Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Keanu is a Hawaiian name meaning 'cool breeze over the mountains'. It has evolved from its Hawaiian roots and is known for its association with the popular actor Keanu Reeves. It conveys traits of calmness and serenity, and it does not have a biblical relevance.
The name Keanu is most popular in Hawaii, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Keanu has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling for male in West, stalled for female 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, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Keanu' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1270th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 966th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 724th out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 9361st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 13503rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 20672nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Keanu' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Keanu"
Pronunciation
/kiˈɑːnu/
Origin
Hawaiian
Etymology
The name Keanu means 'cool breeze over the mountains' in Hawaiian. It is derived from the Hawaiian word 'ke' meaning 'the' and 'anu' meaning 'cool' or 'breeze'.
Meaning
cool breeze over the mountains
Language Evolution
Keanu (Hawaiian)
Historical Usage
The name Keanu gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly due to the rise of actor Keanu Reeves, who became a prominent figure in film during the 1990s.
Variants & Derivatives
Kea, Kean
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Keanu is viewed positively and is associated with a laid-back, cool persona, largely influenced by its association with Keanu Reeves.
Famous People
Keanu Reeves, Keanu Pinder
Explore More Keanu Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Keanu"
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 "Keanu"
"Keanu" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1270th of 16616 | 1,117 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 966th of 24088 | 2,948 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 724th of 23106 | 4,199 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 9361st of 27321 | 107 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 13503rd of 35406 | 95 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 20672nd of 30306 | 23 |
Regional Popularity of "Keanu" 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) |
38.86% 1432nd/3685 |
24.47% 1095th/4475 |
24.49% 1272nd/5194 |
12.43% 785th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
39.39% 1805th/4582 |
20.00% 1033rd/5164 |
17.43% 1275th/7313 |
7.99% 596th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
25.00% 996th/3984 |
18.79% 843rd/4487 |
12.37% 844th/6822 |
7.46% 468th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Keanu" 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) |
- | - | - |
100.00% 7463rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Keanu"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Keanu" 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.