Given name & surname
Keanu
“resembling a cool mountain breeze”·“of the mountain breeze”
Keanu is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “resembling a cool mountain breeze” (Hawaiian) and “of the mountain breeze” (Hawaiian). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “resembling a cool mountain breeze” (Hawaiian) and “of the mountain breeze” (Hawaiian). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Hawaiian.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1990. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Keanu through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 8,920
- 8,695 boys · 225 girls
- Most popular year
- 2020
- 562 babies
- 2025
- 427
- #649 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +42%
- Rising
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 99% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 427 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 649 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 42.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (78). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 5,104 as a first name in 2020; a sample rank of No. 62,919 among surnames in 1990.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Keanu’s family of names
Keanu has a related form in Keanoo. Keanu has a related form in Keanou. Keanu has a related form in Keanue.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 8
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Keanu
- Keanu ReevesCanadian actor and musician (born 1964)
- Keanu PinderAustralian basketball player (born 1995)
- Keanu NealAmerican football playerborn 1995
- Keanu Marsh-BrownGuyanese association football player (born 1992)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Keanu, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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Kealoha
“from the bright path”
75% boys · 25% girls