Boy name · Hawaiian
Keanu
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: the cool breezeKeanu is a boy's name that comes from Hawaiian and means "the cool breeze". It is used in Hawaiian.
- Meaning
- The cool breeze
- Origin
- Hawaiian
- Gender
- Boy
- Say it
- keh-AH-noo (Hawaiian)
Meaning and origin of Keanu
As a boy's name, Keanu comes from Hawaiian and means "the cool breeze". It is used in Hawaiian.
In Hawaiian, say keh-AH-noo. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Keanu on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Keanu on 3 lists.
“The coolness, or cool breeze; ke plus anu. Say keh-AH-noo”
From Hawaiian names, hawaiian names for boys
“The cool breeze; Hawaiian. Say keh-AH-noo”
From Nature names, rain, snow, mist and wind names
“The cool breeze; Hawaiian. Say keh-AH-noo”
From Unique boy names, unique boy names from around the world
How popular is Keanu?
- US rank in 2025
- #649
- 427 babies, 250 per million boys
- Best rank
- #515 in 2020
- 557 babies that year
- Babies since 1990
- At least 8,695
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 0 per million |
| 1950s | 0 per million |
| 1960s | 0 per million |
| 1970s | 0 per million |
| 1980s | 0 per million |
| 1990s | 84 per million |
| 2000s | 98 per million |
| 2010s | 111 per million |
| 2020s | 291 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #975 | #891 | #800 | #630 | #515 | #532 | #591 | #538 | #632 | #649 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Names spelled like Keanu
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- KianAncient, enduring (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- KaanRuler, khan (Turkish, boy)
- KangHealthy, peaceful (depends on characters) (Chinese, boy)
- KeahiThe fire (Hawaiian, boy)
- KealaThe path (Hawaiian, unisex)
- KenHealthy, strong; sword (depends on characters) (Japanese, boy)
- KeoneThe homeland (Hawaiian, unisex)
- KeoniGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- KwakuBorn on Wednesday (Akan, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- NasimBreeze (Arabic, unisex)
- AvraBreeze (Greek, girl)
- BrisaBreeze (Spanish, girl)
- MakaniWind, breeze (Hawaiian, unisex)
- MeltemSea breeze (Turkish, girl)
- RyoCool, refreshing; good (depends on characters) (Japanese, boy)
- RyokoCool child (Japanese, girl)
- RyotaCool and big (depends on characters) (Japanese, boy)
- SabaSoft breeze (Arabic, girl)
- SameerBreeze, wind (Sanskrit, boy)
Middle names for Keanu
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Hawaiian
- KaiThe sea (Hawaiian, unisex)
- AlohaLove, affection (Hawaiian, unisex)
- AukaiSeafarer, sailor (Hawaiian, boy)
- HōkūA star (Hawaiian, unisex)
- ʻIolaniRoyal hawk (Hawaiian, unisex)
- IkaikaStrong, powerful (Hawaiian, boy)
- KahiauGiving generously (Hawaiian, unisex)
- KaimanaA diamond (Hawaiian, unisex)
- KaimiThe seeker (Hawaiian, boy)
- KainoaThe name (Hawaiian, boy)
Keanu: common questions
What does the name Keanu mean?
Keanu comes from Hawaiian and means "the cool breeze".
Is Keanu a boy or girl name?
Keanu is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Keanu come from?
Keanu comes from Hawaiian and means "the cool breeze". Today it is used in Hawaiian.
How do you pronounce Keanu?
In Hawaiian, say keh-AH-noo. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Keanu?
Keanu ranked #649 in the US in 2025, with 427 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Keanu?
Names spelled like Keanu include Kian, Kaan, Kang, Keahi and Keala.
What middle names go with Keanu?
Middle names that flow well with Keanu include Drake, Elliott, Ethan, Jonah and Nathan. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.