Lakeith is a unique and uncommon given name of African American origin. It is derived from the combination of two names: Lakesha and Keith. Lakesha is an American feminine given name that means "to bring forth" or "to give birth", while Keith is a Scottish masculine given name that means "swarthy" or "dark-haired".
The name Lakeith was popularized by American actor Lakeith Stanfield, who was born with this unique name. He was born on June 24, 1991, in San Francisco, California, and has since become known for his roles in television shows such as "Atlanta" and "Death Note," as well as films like "Get Out" and "Knives Out."
While Lakeith is not a name with a long historical background or many famous bearers, it has gained recognition due to its association with the actor Lakeith Stanfield. It is also considered a unisex name, although it is more commonly given to boys.
In terms of meaning, Lakeith carries the same meanings as Lakesha and Keith combined. It suggests someone who is dark-haired or swarthy, but also has the power to bring forth or give birth to new ideas or concepts. This could make Lakeith a fitting name for someone creative, innovative, or influential.
The name Lakeith has been given to babies in the United States for over five decades, with a total of 661 births recorded since 1963. The popularity of this name has varied throughout the years, with peak periods of usage occurring between the late 1970s and early 1980s.
During these years, Lakeith was a popular choice for parents naming their children, with the highest number of births recorded in 1978, when there were 30 newborns named Lakeith. This trend continued into the early 1980s, with several years seeing over 20 babies being named Lakeith annually.
However, towards the mid-1980s, the popularity of this name began to decline, and by the late 1990s, it had become quite rare. In fact, between 2000 and 2015, there were only a handful of births recorded each year for babies named Lakeith.
Despite this decline in popularity, Lakeith remains a unique and distinct name, with a rich history in the United States dating back over half a century. It is possible that future generations may rediscover and reinvigorate the usage of this name once again.