Keene is a surname of Scottish origin that has been used as a given name in some cases. The name is derived from the Gaelic word "ceann" which means "head". It was originally used to denote someone who was the head or chief of their clan.
In Scotland, the surname Keene is found mostly in the Highlands and the Isle of Skye. It is believed to have been brought there by early Scottish settlers who migrated from Ireland. The name has also spread to other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond due to emigration over the centuries.
There are no significant historical figures associated with the name Keene, however, it has been used in popular culture. For example, the American actor Keenen Ivory Wayans is known for his work on the comedy series "In Living Color" and his role in the film "Scary Movie". Additionally, the American basketball player Keene Bradley was a prominent player in the 1960s and 1970s.
Overall, Keene is a unique and historic name with Scottish origins that has been used as both a surname and given name throughout history.
The name Keene has been given to a total of 460 babies in the United States over the past century, according to the available data from 1918 to 2022. The popularity of the name has varied over time, with some years seeing more than ten births and others only five or fewer.
The highest number of Keenes born in a single year was 18 in 2014, which is also the peak for this name's popularity during the period analyzed. In contrast, there were several years where only one baby named Keene was born, such as in 1950 and 1960.
On average, around seven babies are named Keene each year in the United States, based on the data from the past century. This demonstrates that while the name may not be incredibly common, it is still used consistently over time.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Keene has remained steady, with six births recorded in both 2021 and 2022. As this trend continues, we can expect to see more babies named Keene born in the coming years as well.