Caily first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Caily has been for the last 34 years (from 1989 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Caily

Feminine variation of the name Cecily, having French origins meaning "blind".

Popularity of Caily by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Caily is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Caily.

Year Male Count Female Count
2022 0 6
2021 0 7
2020 0 7
2019 0 5
2018 0 6
2017 0 7
2015 0 7
2014 0 7
2013 0 8
2012 0 6
2011 0 6
2010 0 5
2009 0 9
2007 0 7
2006 0 6
2005 0 12
2004 0 8
2003 0 7
2002 0 12
2001 0 7
2000 0 7
1996 0 5
1994 0 14
1992 0 6
1989 0 5

The history of the first name Caily

The name Caily has its origins in the ancient Celtic language, tracing back to the region now known as Ireland and parts of Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic words "caileag" and "cailin," meaning "young woman" or "girl." The name's earliest roots can be traced back to the 5th century AD, during the height of Celtic culture in the British Isles.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Caily can be found in the ancient Irish text "The Book of Invasions," which chronicles the mythological and semi-historical accounts of the successive waves of settlement in Ireland. In this text, Caily is mentioned as the name of a legendary princess who played a significant role in the battles between the Milesians and the Tuatha Dé Danann, the mythical inhabitants of Ireland.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Caily remained popular among the Celtic populations of Ireland and Scotland. Notable historical figures bearing this name include Caily of Arran, a 12th-century Scottish noblewoman who was instrumental in the defense of her island stronghold during the Scottish Wars of Independence against England. Another prominent figure was Caily O'Conchobhair, a 15th-century Irish chieftain and military leader who led her clan in battles against rival clans and English invaders.

In the 16th century, the name Caily gained recognition in Continental Europe, particularly in France and Spain. One such individual was Caily de Valois, a French courtier and confidante of King Francis I, who played a significant role in the cultural and artistic renaissance of the French court during the Renaissance period.

Moving into the 17th century, Caily Brontë, an English poet and writer, was born in 1620. Although not as renowned as her literary descendants, the Brontë sisters, Caily Brontë's works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, contributing to the rich tapestry of English literature during that era.

These are just a few examples of the historical figures who bore the name Caily throughout the centuries, reflecting the name's enduring presence and significance across various cultures and regions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Caily was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Caily, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Caily first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 29, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/caily-meaning-and-history/.

"Caily first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/caily-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 29 June, 2025

Caily first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/caily-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.