Kaleigha Girl

Popularity: #913 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAY-lee-uh //ˈkeɪliə//

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: slender; fair, beautiful

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Kaleigha is a modern variation of the name Kaylee, which itself is derived from the Irish name Caela, meaning 'slender' or 'fair.' The etymological journey begins with the Gaelic roots, where 'caol' translates to 'slender' in Irish. This name underwent several transformations as it was adapted into English, particularly during the 20th century, when the trend of creating unique spellings and variations of traditional names became popular.

The spelling 'Kaleigha' incorporates the phonetic elements of both Kaylee and the Irish Caela, reflecting a blend of cultural influences. Historically, the name Kaylee gained prominence in the United States in the late 20th century, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s, as part of a broader movement towards names that convey a sense of individuality and modernity.

The name Kaleigha, while less documented in historical texts, follows this trend of creative name formation. The use of 'K' as an initial has been a popular stylistic choice in many names, contributing to the appeal of Kaleigha as a contemporary feminine name.

Culturally, names like Kaleigha resonate with themes of beauty and grace, often associated with the qualities of the figures from which they derive. The name's connection to the concept of slenderness can symbolize elegance, while the Irish heritage imbues it with a sense of tradition and depth.

Additionally, the diminutive form 'Kay' has been widely used, further embedding the name within a familial and affectionate context. Overall, Kaleigha reflects a blend of historical roots and modern sensibilities, embodying a unique identity within the landscape of contemporary names.

Sibling suggestions

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

KaylaKieraKylieKaitlynKeiraKendra

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Kaleigha was first seen in the United States in 1996.

Kaleigha has ranked as high as #4621 nationally, which occurred in 2010, and has been most popular in Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Louisiana.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Kaleigha 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 Kaleigha 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 Kaleigha.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 35 35
2024 29 29
2023 29 29
2022 41 41
2021 48 48
2020 37 37
2019 44 44
2018 49 49
2017 35 35
2016 55 55
2015 56 56
2014 50 50
2013 51 51
2012 60 60
2011 65 65
2010 67 67
2009 58 58
2008 36 36
2007 31 31
2006 38 38
2005 32 32
2004 20 20
2003 14 14
2002 14 14
2000 6 6
1999 6 6
1997 5 5
1996 6 6

Top States for Kaleigha (2022)

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
LA 5
100%