Kayleigh Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAY-lee //ˈkeɪli//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: slender; English: variant of Kayley
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kayleigh is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Caollaidhe," which means "slender" or "fair." The name has evolved through various linguistic forms, transitioning from Gaelic to Anglicized versions. The earliest forms of the name can be traced back to the 10th century, where it appeared in various spellings, reflecting the phonetic characteristics of the Gaelic language.
As the name made its way into English, it underwent several transformations, ultimately leading to the modern spelling of Kayleigh, which became popularized in the late 20th century. Historically, the name has been associated with various figures in Irish folklore and mythology, where names reflecting physical attributes were common.
The Gaelic tradition often emphasized the beauty and grace of individuals, and names like Caollaidhe were used to convey these qualities. In the context of English literature, the name's variants have appeared in various works, contributing to its cultural resonance.
The name Kayleigh itself gained further recognition through popular culture in the late 20th century, particularly with the release of songs and media that featured the name prominently. Culturally, Kayleigh has been embraced for its lyrical quality and connection to Irish heritage.
The name evokes images of nature and beauty, aligning with the traditional values of the Gaelic-speaking communities. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Kay or Lee have emerged, reflecting a common practice in many cultures to create affectionate or familiar versions of names.
The enduring appeal of Kayleigh can be attributed to its melodic sound and the rich cultural history that underpins it, making it a name that resonates with themes of grace and elegance.
Famous people named Kayleigh
In this section, you will find notable people named Kayleigh. 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 Kayleigh who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kayleigh 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.
Kayleigh McEnany is a political commentator and author best known for serving as White House Press Secretary and for her work with CNN and Fox News.
Fictional characters named Kayleigh
The following list of fictional characters named Kayleigh 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.
Kayleigh is a fictional character from the video game series Life is Strange. She is a significant character who influences the protagonist's journey through her relationships and choices.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kayleigh, 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 Kayleigh. 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 Kayleigh was first seen in the United States in 1984.
Kayleigh has ranked as high as #448 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in Texas, New York, California, Florida, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Kayleigh has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kayleigh 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 Kayleigh was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kayleigh (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 | 37 | |
| CA | 26 | |
| PA | 24 | |
| FL | 23 | |
| NY | 22 | |
| NC | 20 | |
| TN | 19 | |
| OH | 16 | |
| GA | 15 | |
| LA | 14 | |
| SC | 14 | |
| VA | 12 | |
| MD | 12 | |
| IN | 11 | |
| MS | 10 |
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 Kayleigh.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 385 |
| 2023 | 467 |
| 2022 | 590 |
| 2021 | 754 |
| 2020 | 704 |
| 2019 | 644 |
| 2018 | 706 |
| 2017 | 797 |
| 2016 | 958 |
| 2015 | 1,008 |
| 2014 | 1,173 |
| 2013 | 1,135 |
| 2012 | 1,227 |
| 2011 | 1,286 |
| 2010 | 1,298 |
| 2009 | 1,449 |
| 2008 | 1,435 |
| 2007 | 1,396 |
| 2006 | 1,230 |
| 2005 | 1,234 |
| 2004 | 1,161 |
| 2003 | 1,072 |
| 2002 | 945 |
| 2001 | 962 |
| 2000 | 885 |
| 1999 | 818 |
| 1998 | 793 |
| 1997 | 690 |
| 1996 | 633 |
| 1995 | 598 |
| 1994 | 576 |
| 1993 | 621 |
| 1992 | 627 |
| 1991 | 658 |
| 1990 | 620 |
| 1989 | 609 |
| 1988 | 565 |
| 1987 | 537 |
| 1986 | 748 |
| 1985 | 211 |
| 1984 | 7 |