Caleigh Girl

Popularity: #886 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAY-lee //ˈkeɪli//

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: Irish: slender; English: variant of Kayleigh

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Caleigh is a modern variant of the name Kayleigh, which has its roots in the Irish name Caollaidhe, meaning 'slender' or 'fair.' The etymology can be traced back to the Gaelic language, where 'caol' translates to 'slender' or 'narrow.' This name evolved through various forms, including the Anglicized versions that emerged in the 20th century, ultimately leading to the contemporary spelling of Caleigh. The transition into English occurred as Irish names were adapted and modified by English speakers, particularly during the periods of significant Irish emigration to English-speaking countries.

Historically, names derived from Gaelic have been prevalent in Ireland, and variations of Kayleigh have appeared in literature and records since at least the 19th century. The name gained further recognition through the rise of popular culture in the late 20th century, where it was featured in various forms of media.

While specific historical milestones for Caleigh as a distinct name may be sparse, its connection to the broader tradition of Gaelic names reflects a rich cultural heritage that has been preserved through generations. Caleigh, like its variants, carries connotations of beauty and grace, resonating with the symbolic meanings associated with its Gaelic origins.

The name's melodic quality and aesthetic appeal have contributed to its enduring presence in naming practices. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Kay or Lee may be informally used, reflecting the name's adaptability and the affection often associated with it.

Overall, Caleigh embodies a blend of linguistic history and cultural significance, representing a connection to Irish roots and the evolution of personal names through time.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Caleigh, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Caleigh. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Caleigh was first seen in the United States in 1984.

Caleigh has ranked as high as #978 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in Texas, New York, California, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Caleigh has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Caleigh is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Caleigh was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Caleigh (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
TX 6
55%
FL 5
45%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Caleigh.

YearBirths
202464
202374
202260
202184
202088
201998
201899
2017113
2016144
2015194
2014178
2013143
2012153
2011216
2010210
2009289
2008254
2007257
2006208
2005239
2004227
2003232
2002214
2001237
2000251
1999322
1998215
1997153
1996132
1995107
199480
199375
199261
199154
199049
198937
198842
198726
198625
198513
19847