Declining since 2014, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Keene since 1918
Babies named Keene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 11 |
| 1930s | 12 |
| 1940s | 10 |
| 1950s | 30 |
| 1960s | 24 |
| 1970s | 32 |
| 1980s | 46 |
| 1990s | 83 |
| 2000s | 81 |
| 2010s | 106 |
| 2020s | 31 |
Meaning & origin
Keene is a rare masculine name with English origins, first recorded in the U.S. in 1918. It has never ranked among the top 1,000 names, with a peak in 2014 when it reached its highest usage. Since then, its popularity has been falling. In 2025, it occurred at a rate of 1 in 284,679 births, ranking 10,695th. The name may derive from the Old English 'cene' (bold) or from a habitational surname. Keene has no recorded top states, reflecting its sparse use across the country.
Keene originated as a surname, likely from the Old English word 'cene' meaning bold or keen. It may also derive from the village of Keene in Northamptonshire, England. As a given name, it emerged in the early 20th century, first recorded in the U.S. in 1918, but has remained uncommon.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Keene
Names that share Keene's style, for a brother or sister.
