Keith
Keith is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Wood, forest, or from the battlefield.
Origin and history
Keith is a classic Scottish surname turned given name, originating from a place name in Moray, Scotland. It achieved immense popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, peaking in the top 40. Today, it remains a familiar, well-established choice though it is used less frequently for newborns.
Popularity in the United States
437,907 babies in the United States have been named Keith since 1880. It ranks #76 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #667.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.1 %)
- CA (7.4 %)
- PA (6.3 %)
- OH (5.9 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 12 |
| 1890-1900 | 86 |
| 1900-1910 | 284 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,424 |
| 1920-1930 | 10,915 |
| 1930-1940 | 13,867 |
| 1940-1950 | 25,871 |
| 1950-1960 | 91,235 |
| 1960-1970 | 112,575 |
| 1970-1980 | 76,689 |
| 1980-1990 | 52,647 |
| 1990-2000 | 28,370 |
| 2000-2010 | 12,512 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,086 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,334 |
Famous people named Keith
- Keith Richards: Musician, Songwriter
- Keith Urban: Singer, Songwriter
- Keith David: Actor, Voice Actor
Fun facts
- The name stems from the Scottish Clan Keith, whose leaders held the hereditary title of Marischal of Scotland.
- Keith was a top-40 boy name in the United States during the 1960s.