NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Keyon

An English masculine name of uncertain meaning, potentially related to the element keye.

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.

Keyon is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Keyon popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2921, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 8 births.

This profile covers 103 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 2002 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 88% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 102 living people in the UK are called Keyon. 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

  • Keyon ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2003, when 8 boys were registered as Keyon.
  • About 102 living people in the UK are estimated to have Keyon as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2921

2024

Births in 2024

7

Latest year

Peak year

2003

8 births

Estimated living

102

2026

Meaning

What does Keyon mean?

The name Keyon is believed to have its origins in the African language of Yoruba, spoken in parts of West Africa, particularly Nigeria. The Yoruba word "Keyon" is thought to derive from the phrase "Ki o ní ìyè," which translates to "may you have peace" or "may you find peace." This suggests that the name was likely given to newborns as a wish or blessing for a peaceful and tranquil life.

While the exact time period when the name first emerged is uncertain, it is believed to have been in use among the Yoruba people for centuries, possibly dating back to the 15th or 16th century. The name's association with peace and tranquility aligns with the cultural values and traditions of the Yoruba, who have a rich history and strong emphasis on spiritual beliefs and practices.

Historical records and ancient texts mentioning the name Keyon are scarce, as written documentation from the Yoruba culture during that era is limited. However, there are a few notable individuals throughout history who bore this name.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Keyon was Keyon Babatunde, a respected Yoruba scholar and philosopher who lived in the late 17th century. He is known for his writings and teachings on traditional Yoruba wisdom and spirituality.

In the 19th century, Keyon Adebayo was a prominent Yoruba chief and leader who played a significant role in the resistance against colonial rule in present-day Nigeria. His bravery and leadership during this period earned him a place in the history of the Yoruba people.

Fast forward to the 20th century, Keyon Oladimeji was a Nigerian artist and painter who gained recognition for his vibrant depictions of Yoruba culture and traditions. His works are celebrated for capturing the essence of Yoruba life and have been exhibited in various galleries and museums.

Another notable figure with the name Keyon was Keyon Akinwande, a Nigerian-American writer and journalist born in 1955. He is known for his insightful writings on African culture, politics, and the African diaspora experience.

More recently, Keyon Dooling, born in 1980, is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for several teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who carried the name Keyon, each leaving their mark in various fields and cultures. While the name may not be as widely known or popular as some others, its origins and meaning reflect a rich cultural heritage and a wish for peace and tranquility.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Keyon over time

The chart below shows babies named Keyon registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 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 Keyon, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Keyon
02468200220132024

Decades

Keyon by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Keyon 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 #3939 14 3
2010s #3154 48 8
2000s #2622 41 7

Related

Names similar to Keyon

FAQ

Keyon: questions and answers

How popular is the name Keyon in the UK right now?

In 2024, Keyon was ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.

When was Keyon most popular?

The peak year on record was 2003, with 8 babies registered as Keyon in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Keyon?

An English masculine name of uncertain meaning, potentially related to the element keye.

How many people are called Keyon in the UK?

A total of 103 babies have been registered as Keyon across the 18 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.