Kale Boy

Popularity: #927 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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 #1023 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in Texas, California, 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 11 11 0
2024 18 18 0
2023 13 13 0
2022 23 23 0
2021 28 28 0
2020 25 25 0
2019 26 26 0
2018 46 46 0
2017 62 62 0
2016 101 101 0
2015 177 177 0
2014 216 216 0
2013 264 259 5
2012 336 325 11
2011 429 424 5
2010 436 423 13
2009 536 521 15
2008 567 544 23
2007 400 382 18
2006 295 272 23
2005 274 264 10
2004 225 225 0
2003 189 184 5
2002 179 179 0
2001 164 158 6
2000 156 150 6
1999 134 128 6
1998 142 137 5
1997 110 103 7
1996 93 93 0
1995 94 94 0
1994 107 107 0
1993 117 109 8
1992 106 100 6
1991 91 91 0
1990 116 108 8
1989 99 93 6
1988 114 108 6
1987 125 119 6
1986 83 83 0
1985 100 92 8
1984 71 65 6
1983 58 49 9
1982 42 42 0
1981 51 51 0
1980 43 43 0
1979 42 37 5
1978 44 44 0
1977 36 36 0
1976 32 32 0
1975 36 36 0
1974 30 30 0
1973 32 32 0
1972 20 20 0
1971 27 27 0
1970 28 28 0
1969 16 16 0
1968 16 16 0
1967 13 13 0
1966 9 9 0
1965 7 7 0
1964 9 9 0
1963 14 14 0
1962 16 16 0
1961 8 8 0
1960 9 9 0
1959 5 5 0
1958 7 7 0
1957 7 7 0
1956 12 12 0
1953 5 5 0
1952 5 5 0
1945 6 6 0
1937 5 5 0
1925 11 11 0
1917 6 6 0

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. 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
IN 7
39%
FL 6
33%
KS 5
28%