Kye Boy

Popularity: #802 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Kye //kaɪ//

Origin: Scottish; Korean

Meaning: Scottish: 'keeper of the keys'; Korean: 'victory'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Kye has roots that can be traced back to Old English, where it is derived from the word "cāg," meaning "rejoice" or "to be glad." This term evolved through various linguistic stages, including Middle English, before being adopted into modern English usage. The name is also thought to have connections to the Welsh name "Cai," which is derived from the Latin "Gaius," a name that has historical significance in Roman culture.

The transition into English likely occurred through the influence of Celtic languages and the integration of Welsh names into English vernacular during the medieval period. Historically, the name Kye has been associated with notable figures, particularly in the context of Arthurian legends, where Cai is depicted as a knight of the Round Table.

This association with chivalry and valor contributed to the name's enduring presence in literature and folklore. Additionally, the name has been linked to various saints and biblical figures, although direct references to Kye in religious texts are limited.

The name's resonance in historical narratives, particularly those involving heroism and loyalty, has helped maintain its significance over the centuries. Culturally, Kye embodies themes of joy and celebration, which are reflected in its etymological roots.

The notion of rejoicing has made it a fitting choice for various traditions and ceremonies, particularly those celebrating milestones or achievements. The name's simplicity and phonetic appeal have also allowed it to adapt across different cultures and languages, further solidifying its place in the lexicon of personal names.

While diminutive forms or variations may exist, Kye stands out for its directness and historical depth, making it a name with rich cultural and linguistic heritage.

Famous people named Kye

In this section, you will find notable people named Kye. 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 Kye who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Kye 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.

Kye Whyte is a BMX racer best known for competing in the Olympics and winning the British Championships.

Kye McCullough is a musician best known for his work with the band The Kye.

Kye Gibbons is a professional rugby player best known for playing with the New Zealand national team.

Sibling suggestions

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

KaiTyZaneJaceRye

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kye. 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.

SkyRyeJayTyKoaZaiCaiNye

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Kye was first seen in the United States in 1956.

Kye has ranked as high as #1447 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, Louisiana, and Georgia.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Kye 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 Kye 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 Kye.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 142 136 6
2024 176 171 5
2023 250 240 10
2022 288 277 11
2021 268 260 8
2020 298 284 14
2019 296 288 8
2018 318 310 8
2017 332 310 22
2016 369 356 13
2015 221 211 10
2014 192 173 19
2013 158 148 10
2012 163 154 9
2011 165 157 8
2010 148 148 0
2009 157 150 7
2008 139 122 17
2007 131 123 8
2006 122 108 14
2005 143 127 16
2004 105 94 11
2003 117 105 12
2002 114 109 5
2001 84 71 13
2000 74 74 0
1999 61 51 10
1998 53 41 12
1997 57 46 11
1996 40 35 5
1995 45 45 0
1994 50 42 8
1993 43 43 0
1992 50 42 8
1991 44 44 0
1990 46 34 12
1989 35 35 0
1988 33 33 0
1987 42 35 7
1986 26 26 0
1985 27 27 0
1984 19 19 0
1983 23 23 0
1982 13 13 0
1981 16 16 0
1980 15 15 0
1979 11 11 0
1978 11 11 0
1977 17 12 5
1976 11 11 0
1975 10 10 0
1974 17 17 0
1973 9 9 0
1972 9 9 0
1971 7 7 0
1970 12 12 0
1969 6 6 0
1968 8 8 0
1966 5 5 0
1964 5 5 0
1963 8 8 0
1962 9 9 0
1961 7 7 0
1960 11 6 5
1959 7 7 0
1958 7 7 0
1956 9 9 0

Top States for Kye (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 18
15%
FL 17
14%
CA 12
10%
IL 10
8%
PA 8
7%
NY 7
6%
KY 7
6%
TN 7
6%
MI 6
5%
OH 6
5%
MO 5
4%
NC 5
4%
GA 5
4%
OK 5
4%
LA 5
4%