Caleigh Girl

Popularity: #904 · 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 #1283 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.

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.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 44 44
2024 64 64
2023 74 74
2022 60 60
2021 84 84
2020 88 88
2019 98 98
2018 99 99
2017 113 113
2016 144 144
2015 194 194
2014 178 178
2013 143 143
2012 153 153
2011 216 216
2010 210 210
2009 289 289
2008 254 254
2007 257 257
2006 208 208
2005 239 239
2004 227 227
2003 232 232
2002 214 214
2001 237 237
2000 251 251
1999 322 322
1998 215 215
1997 153 153
1996 132 132
1995 107 107
1994 80 80
1993 75 75
1992 61 61
1991 54 54
1990 49 49
1989 37 37
1988 42 42
1987 26 26
1986 25 25
1985 13 13
1984 7 7

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 6
55%
FL 5
45%