Keith: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced KEETH · 1 syllable
Keith means “wood; from the battleground”, from English.
* As a Scottish surname, from the placename in Moray, Scotland, from Scottish Gaelic Ceith, meaning "wood" or "from the battleground," which is probably borrowed from Pictish * (cet) meaning "wood", or a forest, from Proto-Brythonic *ko d. * As a German surname, from Middle High German kit (“sprout, offspring”); compare Middle High German kint.
- Meaning
- wood; from the battleground
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- KEETH
- US rank (2025)
- #800
- US babies a year
- about 375 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1960
- Style
- Classic
How popular is Keith?
Keith was the #800 name in the US in 2025, given to 311 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 52% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1960.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #800 |
| Scotland | #892 |
| Ireland | #551 |
How old are people named Keith?
Half of US adults named Keith are older than 58; most are between 30 and 76. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Keith
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Keith have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Keith
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
Questions about Keith
What does the name Keith mean?
Keith means “wood; from the battleground”. It comes from English.
How do you pronounce Keith?
Keith is pronounced KEETH.
How popular is the name Keith?
Keith was the #800 name in the US in 2025, given to 311 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 52% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1960.
How old are people named Keith?
Half of US adults named Keith are older than 58. Most are between 30 and 76.