Keelin
Borrowed from Irish Caoilfhionn, from caol (“thin, slender”) + fionn (“light, fair”).
Every Keelin since 1956 — 1,396 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Keelin
Keelin is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1956, 1,396 American babies have been named Keelin — about 74% girls and 26% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2002, when 70 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Keelin stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Keelin year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 8 | #9,325 |
| 2024 | — | — | 6 | #11,684 |
| 2023 | — | — | 8 | #9,363 |
| 2022 | 6 | #14,461 | 7 | #10,347 |
| 2021 | 8 | #11,647 | — | — |
| 2020 | 7 | #12,816 | 12 | #6,833 |
| 2019 | 9 | #10,913 | 13 | #6,604 |
| 2018 | 14 | #7,962 | 12 | #6,929 |
| 2017 | 6 | #15,033 | 9 | #8,511 |
| 2016 | 15 | #7,798 | 9 | #8,497 |
| 2015 | 16 | #7,440 | 7 | #10,117 |
| 2014 | 20 | #6,320 | 12 | #6,864 |
| 2013 | 25 | #5,403 | 9 | #8,467 |
| 2012 | 29 | #4,903 | 14 | #6,163 |
| 2011 | 30 | #4,756 | 11 | #7,265 |
| 2010 | 30 | #4,801 | 18 | #5,145 |
| 2009 | 34 | #4,422 | 17 | #5,436 |
| 2008 | 43 | #3,743 | 12 | #6,985 |
| 2007 | 49 | #3,409 | 12 | #6,870 |
| 2006 | 44 | #3,590 | 5 | #13,068 |
| 2005 | 40 | #3,685 | 9 | #8,006 |
| 2004 | 42 | #3,533 | 11 | #6,777 |
| 2003 | 41 | #3,502 | 5 | #11,865 |
| 2002 | 61 | #2,566 | 9 | #7,354 |
| 2001 | 42 | #3,281 | 16 | #4,790 |
| 2000 | 40 | #3,369 | 23 | #3,590 |
| 1995 | 23 | #4,422 | 14 | #4,407 |
| 1990 | 12 | #7,091 | — | — |
| 1985 | 9 | #7,241 | — | — |
| 1980 | 9 | #7,059 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Keelin mean?
Borrowed from Irish Caoilfhionn, from caol (“thin, slender”) + fionn (“light, fair”).
How popular is the name Keelin in 2025?
Keelin did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Keelin?
1,396 babies have been named Keelin in the United States since 1956, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Keelin most popular?
Keelin peaked in 2002, when 70 newborns received the name.
Is Keelin a boy or girl name?
Keelin is used for both: about 74% of babies named Keelin have been girls and 26% boys.
Is the name Keelin rising or falling?
Keelin is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.