Surname Kekec - Meaning and Origin

Kekec: What does the surname Kekec mean?

The last name Kekec is a Slovenian originating surname, typically found amongst the Slovene population. The name itself has its roots in the common word for boy in Slovene, which is "kekec". It is believed to refer to a boy of a noble background, or signify a strong and brave man.

The name is often found in the Upper and Lower Carniola of Slovenia, predominately around the towns of Ljubljana and Kranj. It remains a popular name amongst the local population today.

Many historians believe that the origin of the name stretches even further back to medieval times. In folk culture the Kekec was a brave youth often viewed as a hero in the tales of Slovenian folklore. He was able to outwit a number of opponents, the Witzchoum, and often triumphing where much larger and more daunting adversaries would fail.

Kekec remains a popular name within Slovenia to this day. It is often found amongst those of noble backgrounds and as a nod to the old stories of the brave youth. This proud name is a reminder of the daring spirit of the people of Slovenia and their origins.

Kekec: Where does the name Kekec come from?

The last name Kekec is a fairly rare surname, but it does have a handful of clusters of people bearing the name scattered throughout the world. The highest concentration of people bearing the name Kekec appears to be in Slovenia, where around 700 individuals are recorded on the records of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia. Other large clusters appear to be in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, and Serbia.

Kekec is also a popular last name among the Romani people, particularly in Croatia and Serbia. This is likely due to the simplified versions of certain Slovenian names adapted to Romani language, as many of the Kekecs recorded in the two countries have documented Romani heritage. However small, a few Kekecs are even scattered throughout the United States, particularly in Texas, New York, California, and Michigan, likely stemming from Romani migration over the past several decades.

Though not as widespread as many other last names, the Kekec family is part of a unique history and culture that goes back centuries. The unique spelling and pronunciation of the name, and its adoption by some Romani populations, makes it unique among surnames, and those sharing the name are connected in some way to an extended family spanning the Balkans.

Variations of the surname Kekec

The surname Kekec is derived from a Slovenian folklore hero whose name means "brave and daring shepherd boy". It is spelled in multiple variants, including Kekez, Kekes, Kekees, Kekic and Kekic. It is also occasionally spelled as Keketz, Keket and Kekich.

In some cases, the surname Kekec has been adopted as a surname by descendants of the Kekec family, whose roots to the Slovenian folklore hero Remon are documented in the glorious ancestral home, Derenk against Idrija.

Although Kekec is a single-syllable name, in some cases it can be written as two, such as Kekche, Kekchee, Kekchey and Kekchay, all of which are variations of the same surname. Other variations of the surname Kekec include Kekce, Kekci, Kekcy and Kecke.

Surnames that are related to Kekec include Kamnikar, Kekcevic, KekeLVic, KekesVic, KekicVic and KekezVic, all of which are spin-offs of the same surname.

In some cases, Kekec is also used as a given name, such as in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia. In the United States, some immigrants from this region have adopted the names Acchiappacane, Achescape and Achescuedero, which are variations of the same name.

Famous people with the name Kekec

• Mitja Kekec: Slovenian actor
• Tristan Kekec: Swiss football player
• Žan Kekec: Slovenian actor and director
• Primož Kekec: Slovenian stage and film actor
• Tjaša Kekec: Slovenian actress
• Nejc Kekec: Slovenian footballer
• Oto Kekec: Slovenian gymnast
• Janez Kekec: Slovenian filmmaker
• Lila Kekec: Slovenian singer
• Marko Kekec: Slovenian judoka
• Milovan Kekec: Bosnian Serb politician
• Drago Kekec: Slovenian athlete
• Penda Kekec: Swiss-Slovenian actress
• Dejan Kekec: Slovenian musical director
• Ervin Kekec: Slovenian footballer
• Primož Jakopin Kekec: Slovenian actor
• Slavko Kekec: Croatian actor
• Saša Kekec: Avtor Regisseur Schauspieler

Other surnames

KekeisenKekert