UK boy's name
Keylan
A masculine name possibly of Irish origin, meaning "favorable" or "slender".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Keylan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Keylan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 4 births.
This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2001 to 2024. 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.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Keylan. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Keylan ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 4 boys were registered as Keylan.
- • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Keylan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
4 births
Estimated living
24
2026
Meaning
What does Keylan mean?
The name Keylan is of Celtic origin, deriving from the Gaelic word "caol", meaning "slender" or "narrow". It is believed to have originated in Ireland and Scotland during the medieval period, around the 10th to 12th centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Keylan can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In this text, dated around 1095, a figure named Keylan Ua Laighnen is mentioned as a notable scholar and ecclesiastical figure.
In the 13th century, there are records of a Keylan MacAlister, a Scottish warrior who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence against England. He was said to be a skilled archer and a loyal companion to the Scottish king.
During the Renaissance period, a notable figure bearing the name Keylan was Keylan O'Toole, an Irish poet and bard who lived in the 16th century. His works, written in the Gaelic language, celebrated the Irish culture and explored themes of love, nature, and the struggles of his people.
In the 17th century, Keylan O'Byrne was a prominent Irish rebel who participated in the Irish Confederate Wars against the English Parliament. He was known for his bravery and tactical skills in leading his troops against the English forces.
Another historical figure with the name Keylan was Keylan McShane, a Scottish soldier who fought in the Jacobite Risings of the 18th century. He was a dedicated supporter of the Stuart cause and participated in several battles, including the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
Throughout history, the name Keylan has been associated with individuals of Celtic descent, particularly those from Ireland and Scotland. While not a widely popular name in modern times, it holds a rich heritage and has been carried by warriors, poets, scholars, and rebels who have left their mark on the cultural and historical landscape of their respective regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Keylan over time
The chart below shows babies named Keylan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Keylan, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Keylan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Keylan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5119 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4297 | 7 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3784 | 14 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Keylan
- 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
Keylan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Keylan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Keylan was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Keylan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 4 babies registered as Keylan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Keylan?
A masculine name possibly of Irish origin, meaning "favorable" or "slender".
How many people are called Keylan in the UK?
A total of 24 babies have been registered as Keylan across the 7 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.