Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Keith has its roots in Scottish Gaelic, meaning 'wood' or 'forest'. It evolved from the surname associated with a place in Scotland and became popular in the 19th century. The name conveys traits of strength and reliability and has no biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/kiːθ/
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology
The name Keith is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name 'Ceiteach', which translates to 'wood' or 'forest'. It was originally a surname used to denote someone from a place named Keith in Scotland.
Meaning
Wood, forest
Language Evolution
Ceiteach (Scottish Gaelic), Keith (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in Scotland, and has since spread to other English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Keath, Keth
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Keith is viewed as a classic yet accessible name, often associated with strong, dependable characteristics.
Famous People
Keith Richards - Musician, Keith Urban - Singer, Keith Olbermann - Journalist
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 12,483 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (5 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 5 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 177th of 7545 | 12,142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 122nd of 6773 | 28,120 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 42nd of 7552 | 165,292 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 41st of 10718 | 135,180 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 74th of 16616 | 69,682 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 260th of 24088 | 20,495 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 530th of 23106 | 6,567 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3504th of 9107 | 121 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2850th of 9204 | 181 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1868th of 12526 | 621 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1839th of 19264 | 796 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3535th of 27321 | 448 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 19262nd of 35406 | 44 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
7.77% 110th/1416 |
19.80% 273rd/1379 |
18.34% 434th/2366 |
7.44% 85th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
4.98% 77th/1546 |
8.93% 139th/1556 |
10.92% 257th/2353 |
5.30% 82nd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
1.75% 39th/2227 |
1.77% 43rd/2430 |
2.00% 57th/2853 |
1.77% 49th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
1.46% 43rd/2937 |
0.95% 33rd/3483 |
1.14% 40th/3518 |
1.51% 61st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
2.04% 75th/3685 |
1.34% 60th/4475 |
1.56% 81st/5194 |
1.90% 120th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
5.43% 249th/4582 |
3.89% 201st/5164 |
3.35% 245th/7313 |
4.70% 351st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
11.90% 474th/3984 |
11.48% 515th/4487 |
7.27% 496th/6822 |
10.82% 679th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
85.77% 1910th/2227 |
65.76% 1598th/2430 |
95.37% 2721st/2853 |
94.59% 2625th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
67.62% 1986th/2937 |
54.67% 1904th/3483 |
70.01% 2463rd/3518 |
64.61% 2613th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
88.39% 3257th/3685 |
82.53% 3693rd/4475 |
100.00% 5194th/5194 |
77.38% 4888th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in District of Columbia across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for female 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 female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 177th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 122nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 42nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 41st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 74th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 260th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 530th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3504th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2850th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1868th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1839th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3535th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 19262nd out of 35406 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.