Barry Keoghan finally reveals how to say his surname – but fans say he is the one pronouncing it wrong

Barry Keoghan recently revealed the correct way to say his last name during an interview on BBC Radio One’s Breakfast Show on Wednesday.

Greg James asked the 33-year-old actor how to pronounce his last name, after realizing he’d been saying it incorrectly – something his friends and listeners had pointed out.

Greg mentioned he often gets corrected when he says the name ‘Keegan’ on the radio. People frequently mispronounce it as ‘Ke-OH-gan’ instead of the correct pronunciation.

‘I’m like, “it is”.’ 

Barry pointed out that the host was mispronouncing the name Keoghan. The host responded by saying that many people make the same mistake, and he’s been correcting his friends who pronounce it ‘Ke-OH-ghan’ instead.

Barry explained that you should trust Greg’s pronunciation, adding, ‘Until someone from the Keoghan family corrects you, assume he’s saying it correctly.’

Okay, let’s talk names! I’ve noticed a lot of confusion around pronunciation, and it’s actually quite common. Take Barry, for example – a lot of people say it one way, but it’s actually pronounced ‘ky-own’! And if you’re meeting someone named Eoghan, remember it’s the Irish version of Owen, and you don’t say the ‘g’ – it’s a silent letter. Little things like getting names right can make a huge difference in making a good impression, so it’s worth the effort!

He says his name is pronounced ‘kee-ogan,’ but most people with that last name actually say ‘Kyowan.’ While it’s technically correct because it is his name, it also feels…off.

I’m familiar with a family named Keoghan, and they all say their name like ‘Kyo-an,’ with the ‘G’ silent. It’s similar to how most people don’t pronounce the ‘G’ in Gallagher – think of the band Oasis.

‘The weird thing is I’ve never know anyone with that name to pronounce it his way. It’s keown.’ 

Elsewhere in the interview, Barry joked he watches his Saltburn naked scene every Monday.

In the black comedy thriller, the actor performed a nude scene during a now-famous dance sequence set to Sophie Ellis Bextor’s “Murder On The Dancefloor.”

He said: ‘I can’t get away from it like because it’s part of me’.  

Barry is in the midst of filming a new Beatles biopic.

The actor has grown out his hair to take on the role of legendary drummer Ringo Starr. 

He’ll be acting with Paul Mescal, who will play Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.

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2026-03-11 23:05