Kale Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAYL //keɪl//
Origin: English; Irish
Meaning: English: 'young, green vegetable'; Irish: 'slender'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kale has roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Old Irish word "caol," meaning "slender" or "narrow." This term evolved through various forms, eventually influencing the modern usage of the name. The name also has connections to the Hebrew word "kalev," meaning "dog," which appears in biblical texts, notably referring to Caleb, a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible known for his faithfulness and bravery during the Israelite's exodus from Egypt.
The name's journey into English can be traced through the Latin and Old French adaptations, where it maintained a similar phonetic structure, leading to its current form in contemporary English usage. Historically, the name Kale has been associated with various cultural and religious figures, particularly in the context of biblical narratives.
Caleb, as a biblical figure, has been a significant reference point since antiquity, representing loyalty and strength. His story is recounted in the Book of Numbers and the Book of Joshua, where he is celebrated for his unwavering faith and leadership.
This association with a strong, virtuous character has contributed to the name's enduring presence in various cultures, particularly among those with Judeo-Christian backgrounds. In addition to its biblical connections, the name Kale has also found resonance in various cultural contexts, often symbolizing qualities such as resilience and integrity.
The name's simplicity and strong phonetic quality lend it a timeless appeal, while its associations with historical figures contribute to its significance. The diminutive form "Kal" may also be noted, though its use varies across cultures.
Overall, the name Kale encapsulates a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, reflecting both historical depth and symbolic meaning.
Famous people named Kale
In this section, you will find notable people named Kale. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kale who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kale who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Kale McCarr is a professional ice hockey player best known for playing with the Colorado Avalanche and winning the Stanley Cup.
Fictional characters named Kale
The following list of fictional characters named Kale is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Kale is a fictional character from the video game series Dragon Ball. He is a Saiyan who becomes a major character in the Dragon Ball Super storyline, known for her powerful transformations and fighting abilities.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kale, 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 Kale. 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 Kale was first seen in the United States in 1917.
Kale has ranked as high as #880 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
In the past 5 years the name Kale has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kale 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 Kale was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kale (2017)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| IN | 7 | |
| FL | 6 | |
| KS | 5 |
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 Kale.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2018 | 46 |
| 2017 | 62 |
| 2016 | 101 |
| 2015 | 177 |
| 2014 | 216 |
| 2013 | 259 |
| 2012 | 325 |
| 2011 | 424 |
| 2010 | 423 |
| 2009 | 521 |
| 2008 | 544 |
| 2007 | 382 |
| 2006 | 272 |
| 2005 | 264 |
| 2004 | 225 |
| 2003 | 184 |
| 2002 | 179 |
| 2001 | 158 |
| 2000 | 150 |
| 1999 | 128 |
| 1998 | 137 |
| 1997 | 103 |
| 1996 | 93 |
| 1995 | 94 |
| 1994 | 107 |
| 1993 | 109 |
| 1992 | 100 |
| 1991 | 91 |
| 1990 | 108 |
| 1989 | 93 |
| 1988 | 108 |
| 1987 | 119 |
| 1986 | 83 |
| 1985 | 92 |
| 1984 | 65 |
| 1983 | 49 |
| 1982 | 42 |
| 1981 | 51 |
| 1980 | 43 |
| 1979 | 37 |
| 1978 | 44 |
| 1977 | 36 |
| 1976 | 32 |
| 1975 | 36 |
| 1974 | 30 |
| 1973 | 32 |
| 1972 | 20 |
| 1971 | 27 |
| 1970 | 28 |
| 1969 | 16 |
| 1968 | 16 |
| 1967 | 13 |
| 1966 | 9 |
| 1965 | 7 |
| 1964 | 9 |
| 1963 | 14 |
| 1962 | 16 |
| 1961 | 8 |
| 1960 | 9 |
| 1959 | 5 |
| 1958 | 7 |
| 1957 | 7 |
| 1956 | 12 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1945 | 6 |
| 1937 | 5 |
| 1925 | 11 |
| 1917 | 6 |