Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Kayleigh has its roots in Irish and Gaelic, meaning 'slender' or 'fair'. It evolved from the name Caollaidhe and has several variants. The name is often viewed as modern and trendy, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkeɪli/
Origin
Irish and Gaelic
Etymology
The name Kayleigh is derived from the Irish name Caollaidhe, which means 'slender' or 'fair'. It is also associated with the Gaelic word 'caol', meaning 'narrow'.
Meaning
slender, fair
Language Evolution
Caollaidhe, Kaylee, Kaleigh, Kayleigh
Historical Usage
The name Kayleigh gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, influenced by various cultural factors including music and media.
Variants & Derivatives
Kaylee, Kaleigh, Kaylie, Kaili
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Kayleigh is perceived as a modern and trendy name, often associated with youthfulness and creativity.
Famous People
Kayleigh McEnany, American political commentator and former White House Press Secretary, Kayleigh Harrison, American model and social media influencer
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,449 peak births in 2009
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (44 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 44 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22197th of 24088 | 7 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 523rd of 27321 | 7,010 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 286th of 35406 | 17,881 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 407th of 30306 | 9,321 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
68.67% 5022nd/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
11.48% 423rd/3685 |
9.05% 405th/4475 |
10.67% 554th/5194 |
10.76% 680th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
6.20% 284th/4582 |
4.86% 251st/5164 |
2.97% 217th/7313 |
7.21% 538th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
12.55% 500th/3984 |
8.16% 366th/4487 |
4.50% 307th/6822 |
12.11% 760th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in New Hampshire across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the South 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, usage has been falling for female in MidWest, falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 22197th out of 24088 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 523rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 286th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 407th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.