Keanu
Keanu is a boys' name of Hawaiian origin meaning “cool breeze over the mountains.” It ranked #648 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Keanu?
kee-AH-noo
where does the name Keanu come from?
A Hawaiian name built around the sense of coolness, a symbol of happiness and romance in Hawaii's warm climate; it is also a short form of longer names that begin the same way.
Keanu is a Hawaiian name meaning 'cool breeze over the mountains,' evoking the refreshing trade winds that flow across Hawaii's volcanic peaks. The name became internationally famous through actor Keanu Reeves, who was born in Beirut to a Hawaiian-Chinese father.
how popular is this name?
Keanu has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 22 years since 1994, and fell outside it for 10. It peaked at #515 in 2020, and ranked #648 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #648 |
| 2024 | #631 |
| 2023 | #536 |
| 2022 | #591 |
| 2021 | #532 |
| 2020 | #515 |
| 2019 | #630 |
| 2018 | #799 |
| 2017 | #890 |
| 2016 | #973 |
| 2000 | #770 |
| 1994 | #752 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Keanu fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Keanu?
- Keanu Reeves (Canadian actor)
- Keanu Neal (American NFL player)
what names are similar to Keanu?
what names go well with Keanu?
Sibling names that share Keanu's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Keanu
What does the name Keanu mean?
Keanu means “cool breeze over the mountains”.
What is the origin of the name Keanu?
Keanu comes from the Hawaiian naming tradition.
How popular is the name Keanu?
Keanu ranked #648 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2020, at #515, and it has spent 22 years in the top 1,000 since 1994.
Is Keanu a boy or girl name?
Keanu is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Keanu?
Keanu is pronounced kee-AH-noo, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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