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.
🌿
Related Reading
New Zealand-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →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
Most popular combo · classic
Kea Rose
Floral · soft ending
Kea Claire
French influence · crisp
Kea Jane
Literary · strong
Kea Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Kea right now?
Falling — down 589 spots — currently #11717 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| 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 | — |
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:
Kea by decade
| 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?
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.