UK boy's name
Keefe
Anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Giolla Chaoimh meaning "descendant of the devotee of St Kevin".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1998. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Keefe is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Keefe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1998 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2901, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1998 to 1998. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Keefe is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Keefe. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 1999 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Keefe ranked #2901 for boys in England and Wales in 1998, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 3 boys were registered as Keefe.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Keefe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2901
1998
Births in 1998
3
Latest year
Peak year
1998
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Keefe mean?
The given name Keefe is of Irish origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic word "caomh," which means "gentle" or "handsome." The name was particularly popular among the ancient Celtic tribes that inhabited Ireland.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Keefe can be found in various Irish historical documents and genealogical records dating back to the 11th century. One of the earliest known bearers of this name was Keefe O'Callaghan, a prominent chieftain who lived in the late 12th century and was renowned for his bravery in battles against Norman invaders.
In religious texts, the name Keefe is not explicitly mentioned, but its Gaelic roots connect it to the rich cultural heritage of ancient Celtic spirituality and reverence for nature. The name's meaning of "gentle" and "handsome" aligns with the Celtic ideals of beauty, grace, and respect for the natural world.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Keefe. One such individual was Keefe O'Reilly (1580-1644), an Irish soldier and leader who played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars of the 17th century. Another prominent bearer of the name was Keefe O'Donnell (1720-1785), a renowned Irish poet and playwright whose works celebrated the rich cultural traditions of his homeland.
In more recent times, Keefe Brasselle (1923-1981) was an American actor and singer best known for his roles in films like "The Eddie Duchin Story" and "The Grapes of Wrath." Additionally, Keefe Bruyette (1952-2011) was a prominent American investment banker and co-founder of the financial services firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.
The name Keefe has also been carried by several athletes, including Keefe Cato (born 1976), a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA, and Keefe Klug (born 1979), a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL.
While the name Keefe has its roots in ancient Celtic culture, it has transcended its origins and gained recognition across various walks of life, from literature and the arts to sports and finance. Its enduring popularity serves as a testament to the rich heritage and versatility of this Irish name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Keefe by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Keefe was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #2901 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Keefe
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Keefe: questions and answers
How popular is the name Keefe in the UK right now?
In 1998, Keefe was ranked #2901 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Keefe most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 3 babies registered as Keefe in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Keefe?
Anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Giolla Chaoimh meaning "descendant of the devotee of St Kevin".
How many people are called Keefe in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Keefe across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.