Girl · 507th of 35,406
Kaleigh
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
16,190
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2001
Peak Popularity Year
729
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kaleigh stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Kaleigh is an Irish name derived from 'Caoilinn,' meaning 'slender' or 'fair.' It has evolved through various forms and gained popularity in the late 20th century as a unique name choice. With a modern image, it is often associated with creativity. There is no direct biblical relevance tied to the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkeɪli/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
Kaleigh is derived from the Irish name 'Caoilinn,' which means 'slender' or 'fair.' It has evolved over time and has been influenced by various Gaelic and English forms.
Meaning
slender, fair
Language Evolution
Caoilinn, Kaylin, Kaili, Kaleigh
Historical Usage
Kaleigh gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a trendy name among parents seeking unique alternatives to more traditional names.
Variants & Derivatives
Kaylee, Kailyn, Kaili, Kailin
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Kaleigh is perceived as a modern, feminine name that conveys a sense of uniqueness and charm. It is often associated with creativity and individuality.
Famous People
Kaleigh O'Keefe, an American actress, Kaleigh O'Leary, a professional dancer
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 729 peak births in 2001
Geographic Spread
Popular across 42 US states, with strongest presence in Georgia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 44 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Caeleigh
Caeley
Caely
Cailee
Cailey
Cailie
Cailley
Caily
Caley
Caylee
Caylei
Cayleigh
Cayley
Cayli
Caylie
Kaelee
Kaeleigh
Kaeley
Kaelie
Kaeliegh
Kaelly
Kaely
Kailey
Kailly
Kaily
Kaley
Kayelee
Kayeleigh
Kaylee
Kaylei
Kayleigh
Kayley
Kayli
Kaylie
Kayliee
Kayliegh
Kaylii
Kayllie
Kayly
Keali
Kehley
Keilei
Keileigh
Keili
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 5 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22675th of 24088 | 6 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 17532nd of 19264 | 7 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 670th of 27321 | 4,850 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 507th of 35406 | 9,342 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1386th of 30306 | 1,985 |