Holding steady.
Popularity of Keefe since 1952
Babies named Keefe per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 74 |
| 1960s | 118 |
| 1970s | 131 |
| 1980s | 123 |
| 1990s | 142 |
| 2000s | 59 |
| 2010s | 11 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Keefe is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded by the Social Security Administration in 1952. Its peak occurred in 1963, when it saw its highest usage, though it has never broken into the top 1,000 rankings. As of 2025, the name's trajectory remains stable. The name is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Caoimh, tying it to an ancient Gaelic tradition. Despite its low frequency, Keefe offers a distinctive alternative to more common Irish surnames-turned-first-names like Riley or Brady.
Keefe is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Caoimh, derived from the Gaelic 'caomh' meaning 'kind, gentle, handsome'. The surname originated in County Cork, Ireland. As a given name, Keefe emerged in the mid-20th century, likely influenced by Irish-American families honoring ancestral surnames.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Keefer
Variants: O'Keefe, Keef
Sibling names for Keefe
Names that share Keefe's style, for a brother or sister.
