Boy · 2253rd of 16,616
Kile
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,065
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1996
Peak Popularity Year
42
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kile 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
Kile is an Old English name meaning 'narrow body of water' or 'descendant of the woods'. It has evolved from the Old English term 'cīl' to its modern form. The name reflects traits of nature and strength. There is no biblical background associated with it, and it saw increased popularity in the 20th century. Variants include Kyle and Kail.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/kaɪl/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Kile is derived from the Old English word 'cīl', which means 'a narrow body of water' or 'a channel'. It may also be related to the Gaelic name 'Caille', which means 'a descendant of the woods'.
Meaning
narrow body of water, descendant of the woods
Language Evolution
Cīl (Old English), Kile (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Kile has been used in various forms since the Middle Ages but gained popularity in the 20th century as a modern given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Kyle, Kail, Kyla
Modern Popularity & Image
Kile is perceived as a modern and unique name, often associated with nature and strength.
Famous People
Kile Glover, an American television producer and son of Usher, Kile McCarthy, a notable athlete
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 42 peak births in 1996
Geographic Spread
Popular across 6 US states, with strongest presence in Tennessee
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6100th of 7545 | 15 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6773rd of 6773 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4902nd of 7552 | 36 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3356th of 10718 | 149 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2253rd of 16616 | 463 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3944th of 24088 | 363 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 13917th of 23106 | 34 |