Kea

“Maori”

New Zealand origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#11717US 2022

8Births / yr

↓Falling

645All-time births

📅 Since 196400

How to pronounce Kea

KAY

/ˈkeɪ/ · stress on KAY · 2 syllables

“Maori”

New Zealand origin · Girl name

What does Kea mean and where does it come from?

Kea is a name that is prominent in both New Zealand and Hawaiian cultures. In Maori, 'Kea' refers to a native parrot known for its intelligence. The name has been adopted in various cultures and is sometimes given to signify cleverness and curiosity. In Hawaiian, it can refer to a place associated w

Cultural significance

Kea has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in New Zealand-speaking communities, where it reflects values of maori.

Peak popularity

Reached #2925 in 1978 — currently #11717 in the US.

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How else can you spell Kea?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

What middle names flow best with Kea?

Kea works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Kea Grace

How popular is Kea right now?

Falling — down 589 spots — currently #11717 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1970–2022#11717 · Top 8.6%

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2022

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2022	#11717	8	▼ down 589 · -11% births
2005	#11128	9	▼ down 3421 · -31% births
2000	#7707	13	▲ up 5 · +18% births
1995	#7712	11	▼ down 2926 · -45% births
1990	#4786	20	▼ down 28 · +25% births
1985	#4758	16	▼ down 117
1980	#4641	16	▼ down 1159 · -20% births
1975	#3482	20	▲ up 1515 · +82% births
1970	#4997	11	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Kea

Best Year1975Rank #3482

Peak Count20

Average Rank#6770

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1970 - 20229 years

The story of Kea

Kea is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1964. With 645 total births recorded, Kea remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4997 in 1970, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #11717 in 2022.

Names that peaked alongside Kea in 1978:

Jennifer Melissa Jessica Amy Heather

Kea by decade

Kea peaked in the 1970s. See all 1970s names →

Decade	Births
1960s	44
1970s ★	185
1980s	173
1990s	143
2000s	86
2010s	14

💎Kea has only 645 total recorded births since 1964 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Kea?

Common

KeieKey

What names sound and feel like Kea?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Kea also consider these

Common questions about the name Kea

What does the name Kea mean?

Kea means "Maori" — a name rooted in New Zealand tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Kea?

Kea is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Kea have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Kea?

Kea originates from New Zealand tradition. New Zealand names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Kea?

Kea is a two-syllable name pronounced K EY1. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Kea trending right now?

Kea is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.