Girl · 651st of 35,406
Kaley
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
13,667
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2003
Peak Popularity Year
578
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kaley 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
Kaley is an Irish name derived from 'Caollaidhe', meaning 'slender' or 'fair'. It has evolved through various forms such as Caoilinn and Kaylee. The name gained popularity in the 1990s and is associated with a modern, youthful image. There is no biblical relevance attached to Kaley, and it has notable bearers in popular culture.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkeɪli/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
Kaley is derived from the Irish name 'Caollaidhe', which means 'slender' or 'fair' in Gaelic.
Meaning
slender, fair
Language Evolution
Caollaidhe, Caoilinn, Kaylee, Kaley
Historical Usage
Kaley gained popularity in the late 20th century, especially in English-speaking countries, becoming a common name in the 1990s.
Variants & Derivatives
Kaylee, Kayleigh, Kaili
Modern Popularity & Image
Kaley is often perceived as a modern and trendy name, associated with youthful energy and vitality.
Famous People
Kaley Cuoco, Kaley Ann Voorhees
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
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 578 peak births in 2003
Geographic Spread
Popular across 41 US states, with strongest presence in Florida
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 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
Kaleigh
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 6 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10718th of 10718 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 11776th of 16616 | 20 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4781st of 19264 | 184 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 664th of 27321 | 4,896 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 651st of 35406 | 6,886 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1574th of 30306 | 1,676 |