Keitha / Keith

Keitha is a relatively modern name, often considered a feminized form of the Scottish surname Keith. The surname itself is derived from a place name in East Lothian, Scotland, which comes from the Brythonic word 'cet' meaning 'wood' or 'forest'. While primarily used as a feminine name in the 20th century, its unisex nature stems from its surname origin, where surnames traditionally do not carry gender. Its usage as a given name began to rise in the early to mid-20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.