The baby name Keef is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced /kiːf/ (KEEF).
The baby name Keef is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced /kiːf/ (KEEF).
Keef is English, Scottish in Origin.
Keef is a brisk, modern form with roots in both Irish and Scottish naming traditions. As a phonetic spelling of Keefe, it reflects the Anglicized Irish Ó Caoimh, from Old Irish caomh meaning gentle, kind, or comely, borne by the O'Keeffe sept of County Cork. It can also serve as a clipped pet form of Keith, the Scottish surname-turned-given-name from a northeast place name, likely of Brittonic origin meaning wood or forest.
Documented as a rare given name since the late twentieth century, Keef most often enters use through nickname pathways; rock icon Keith Richards is widely known as Keef, reinforcing its casual, affectionate tone. Related variants and cognates include Keefe, Keeffe, O'Keefe, O'Keeffe, and Keith, with occasional spellings Kief or Keif. The name’s meanings cluster around gentle or noble on the Irish side and wood or forest on the Scottish side, blending softness with a rugged, nature-flavored edge.
Keef is rarely chosen. We have only 58 recorded uses of it on record, from 24 countries.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BW | Girls | 0 | #151 | 1 | 4,216 |
| LU | Boys | 0 | #220 | 1 | 4,970 |
| AO | Boys | 0 | #249 | 1 | 5,568 |
| NA | Boys | 0 | #253 | 1 | 6,830 |
| DK | Girls | 0 | #328 | 2 | 7,429 |
| SD | Girls | 0 | #358 | 1 | 7,678 |
| OM | Girls | 0 | #424 | 1 | 15,987 |
| CR | Boys | 0 | #510 | 1 | 10,188 |
| IQ | Girls | 0 | #525 | 1 | 11,303 |
| HK | Boys | 0 | #557 | 1 | 12,905 |
| LY | 0 | #559 | 1 | 12,703 | |
| AE | Girls | 0 | #597 | 1 | 20,968 |
| SG | Girls | 0 | #632 | 1 | 18,916 |
| IL | Girls | 0 | #645 | 1 | 11,648 |
| LB | 0 | #690 | 1 | 13,263 | |
| CL | Boys | 0 | #699 | 2 | 13,390 |
| SG | Boys | 0 | #732 | 8 | 17,960 |
| QA | Boys | 0 | #743 | 1 | 18,093 |
| SY | 0 | #767 | 1 | 11,684 | |
| OM | Boys | 0 | #917 | 2 | 17,948 |
| EG | Boys | 0 | #924 | 2 | 15,035 |
| NG | Boys | 0 | #1,000 | 2 | 16,906 |
| SA | Girls | 0 | #1,008 | 7 | 25,931 |
| EG | Girls | 0 | #1,009 | 1 | 14,742 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,180 | 3 | 25,439 |
| MA | 0 | #1,198 | 2 | 20,986 | |
| DZ | 0 | #1,234 | 1 | 20,130 | |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,605 | 10 | 28,008 |
Keef is popular in 24 countries — most recent births per country:
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