Keefer
A boy's name of German origin with 315 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Keefer is a boy's baby name of German origin, from the German Kiefer or Küfer — an occupational surname meaning 'barrel maker' or 'vintner' — one who made or worked with barrels. Like Cooper and Hooper, Keefer carries the dignity of the cooper's craft in a name.
Keefer has a strong, crisp sound and carries the rugged character of German craft surnames adopted as American given names. Actor Kiefer Sutherland — star of 24 and son of Donald Sutherland — gave this sound family strong pop culture recognition, with Keefer as a variant spelling.
EtymologyShow more
Keefer appeared in SSA records in 1970, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its German roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 315 recorded births, Keefer has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Keefer has 29+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1970.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 43 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 100 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 138 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 12 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 16 | — |
The Story of Keefer
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1992, Keefer is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Keefer are most likely born between 1982 and 2002.
How rare is Keefer?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Keefer is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1970, peaked in the 1990s with 138 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Keefer by the numbers
- Would fill 7 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(29 years, 1970–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6 | #11611 |
| 2019 | 6 | #11479 |
| 2015 | 7 | #10114 |
| 2014 | 9 | #8481 |
| 2012 | 8 | #9308 |
| 2011 | 7 | #10220 |
| 2010 | 6 | #11506 |
| 2009 | 5 | #13521 |
| 2008 | 9 | #8673 |
| 2007 | 13 | #6453 |
| 2006 | 14 | #5954 |
| 2005 | 12 | #6429 |
| 2004 | 10 | #7281 |
| 2003 | 10 | #6997 |
| 2002 | 5 | #11627 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8777 |
| 2000 | 15 | #4922 |
| 1999 | 9 | #6826 |
| 1998 | 11 | #5659 |
| 1997 | 12 | #5119 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keefer a boy's or girl's name?
When was Keefer most popular?
How popular is the name Keefer?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1970–2022