Kaye Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Kaye has Old English roots and means 'rejoice' or 'to be glad.' It evolved from the Old English 'Cae' and has connections to Welsh culture. The name is characterized by its uniqueness and modern appeal. There is no biblical relevance associated with it. Kaye has gained popularity in the 20th century as a feminine name and is associated with notable figures in entertainment and law.
The name Kaye is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Kaye has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Kaye' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4628th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1470th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4256th out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1592nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 477th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 492nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1396th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3383rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8070th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 9386th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Kaye' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Kaye"
Pronunciation
/keɪ/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Kaye is derived from the Old English name 'Cae,' which means 'rejoice' or 'to be glad.' It has also been linked to the Welsh name 'Cai,' which is associated with the legendary figure Sir Kay from Arthurian legend.
Meaning
rejoice, gladness
Language Evolution
Cae (Old English), Kai (Welsh), Kaye (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Kaye gained popularity as a given name in the 20th century, often used as both a first name and a surname. It has become more common as a feminine name in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Kay, Kaya, Kayi
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Kaye is viewed as a modern and stylish name, often associated with creativity and individuality. It is relatively uncommon, which adds to its unique charm.
Famous People
Kaye Ballard - American actress and singer, Kaye Adams - Scottish television presenter, Kaye L. Scholer - American law firm
Explore More Kaye Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Kaye"
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 of "Kaye"
"Kaye" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4628th of 7545 | 41 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1470th of 6773 | 404 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4256th of 7552 | 58 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1592nd of 9107 | 452 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 477th of 9204 | 3,984 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 492nd of 12526 | 6,705 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1396th of 19264 | 1,219 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3383rd of 27321 | 477 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 8070th of 35406 | 217 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9386th of 30306 | 131 |
Regional Popularity of "Kaye" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
48.32% 747th/1546 |
74.04% 1152nd/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Kaye" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
100.00% 1416th/1416 |
79.91% 1102nd/1379 |
- |
92.64% 1058th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
21.99% 340th/1546 |
37.34% 581st/1556 |
21.89% 515th/2353 |
21.85% 338th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
17.87% 398th/2227 |
34.24% 832nd/2430 |
16.26% 464th/2853 |
18.41% 511th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
35.55% 1044th/2937 |
72.35% 2520th/3483 |
39.37% 1385th/3518 |
57.37% 2320th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
100.00% 3685th/3685 |
- |
77.76% 4039th/5194 |
85.91% 5427th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
100.00% 7463rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Kaye"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Kaye" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.