Kyle Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Kyle is a name of Scottish Gaelic origin meaning 'narrow strait'. It evolved from the Gaelic word 'caol' to its current form in Modern English. The name is often associated with a modern and youthful image and gained popularity in the late 20th century. It does not have biblical significance, and notable people with this name have contributed to its positive perception.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Kyle"
Pronunciation
/kaɪl/
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology
The name Kyle is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word 'caol', meaning 'narrow', 'strait', or 'channel'. It is also associated with the name of a location in Scotland, specifically the Kyle of Lochalsh.
Meaning
narrow strait
Language Evolution
Caol (Scottish Gaelic), Kyle (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Kyle gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States and Canada.
Variants & Derivatives
Ky, Kye
Modern Popularity & Image
Kyle is generally perceived as a modern and youthful name, often associated with friendly and approachable personality traits.
Famous People
Kyle MacLachlan, American actor, Kyle Chandler, American actor, Kyle Busch, American professional racing driver
📊 Kyle Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 22,947 peak births in 1990
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Kyle" - Complete Guide (11 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Kyle". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 11 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Kyle" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Kyle"
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 "Kyle"
"Kyle" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 777th of 7545 | 1,181 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 640th of 6773 | 1,678 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 270th of 7552 | 13,559 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 102nd of 10718 | 47,768 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 25th of 16616 | 271,422 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 53rd of 24088 | 130,938 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 247th of 23106 | 18,543 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5172nd of 9204 | 49 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 857th of 12526 | 2,582 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1239th of 19264 | 1,467 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 867th of 27321 | 3,365 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2865th of 35406 | 898 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3450th of 30306 | 549 |
Regional Popularity of "Kyle" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
59.39% 841st/1416 |
- |
23.50% 556th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
20.14% 474th/2353 |
54.17% 838th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
10.46% 233rd/2227 |
11.73% 285th/2430 |
10.62% 303rd/2853 |
8.94% 248th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
2.52% 74th/2937 |
2.99% 104th/3483 |
3.89% 137th/3518 |
2.32% 94th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
0.46% 17th/3685 |
0.56% 25th/4475 |
0.69% 36th/5194 |
0.38% 24th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.94% 43rd/4582 |
0.62% 32nd/5164 |
0.83% 61st/7313 |
0.76% 57th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
6.40% 255th/3984 |
3.77% 169th/4487 |
3.97% 271st/6822 |
4.16% 261st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Kyle" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
28.06% 625th/2227 |
24.73% 601st/2430 |
57.17% 1631st/2853 |
36.54% 1014th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
34.25% 1006th/2937 |
24.78% 863rd/3483 |
65.83% 2316th/3518 |
36.99% 1496th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
18.81% 693rd/3685 |
14.48% 648th/4475 |
24.24% 1259th/5194 |
16.16% 1021st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
64.14% 2939th/4582 |
47.58% 2457th/5164 |
50.39% 3685th/7313 |
39.92% 2979th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
70.93% 2826th/3984 |
70.69% 3172nd/4487 |
46.35% 3162nd/6822 |
66.14% 4151st/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Kyle"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Kyle" 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 of "Kyle" in the United States
The name Kyle is most popular in Alaska, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, Kyle has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too rising for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, too rising for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Kyle' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 777th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 640th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 270th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 102nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 25th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 53rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 247th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5172nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 857th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1239th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 867th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2865th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3450th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Kyle' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.