Cayli
A unique name of uncertain origin and meaning.
Name Census estimates that about 445 living Americans carry the first name Cayli. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Cayli today is around 22 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Cayli births was 1999 (27 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Cayli. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
445
~ 1 in 770,234 Americans
Peak year
1999
27 babies that year
Average age
22
years old
2023 SSA rank
#12,391
Tracked since 1987
Popularity
Cayli: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Cayli from the 1980s through to the 2020s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 170 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Cayli by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Cayli during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Cayli
The name Cayli is believed to have its origins in the ancient Celtic language, which was spoken by various tribes and peoples across Europe, including parts of modern-day Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and France. The name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word "caol," which means "slender" or "slim."
In early Celtic culture, physical attributes were often celebrated and incorporated into personal names, reflecting the value placed on strength, agility, and beauty. The name Cayli may have been bestowed upon individuals who possessed a slender or graceful physique, though its exact meaning and significance have been subject to various interpretations over the centuries.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Cayli can be traced back to medieval Ireland, where it appears in ancient genealogical records and historical texts. However, its usage was likely more widespread among the Celtic tribes that inhabited other regions of Europe during that time period.
One of the notable historical figures bearing the name Cayli was a 12th-century Irish princess and daughter of the King of Ulster. Her name was recorded as Cayli Ní Lochlainn, and she played a significant role in the political and cultural landscape of Ireland during her lifetime.
In the realm of literature, the name Cayli appears in several ancient Celtic myths and legends, often associated with characters renowned for their beauty, grace, or supernatural abilities. One such example is the tale of Cayli the Fair, a legendary figure from Irish folklore who was said to possess unparalleled beauty and the power to enchant all who gazed upon her.
Moving forward in history, the name Cayli gained popularity in various regions of Europe, particularly in Scotland and parts of England. In the 16th century, Cayli Douglas, a Scottish noblewoman and courtier at the court of King James VI, was known for her wit and intellect, and her name has been recorded in historical accounts of the time.
Another notable figure was Cayli Brontë, a 19th-century English author and the younger sister of the famous Brontë sisters, Charlotte and Emily. Though overshadowed by her more famous siblings, Cayli was a talented writer in her own right and contributed to the literary legacy of the Brontë family.
Over the centuries, the name Cayli has continued to be used across various cultures and regions, though its popularity has fluctuated. Today, it remains a unique and distinctive name, carrying with it the echoes of its ancient Celtic roots and the stories of those who have borne it throughout history.
People
Cayli + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Cayli as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Cayli: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Cayli?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 445 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Cayli going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 770,234 US residents.
Is Cayli a common name?
We classify Cayli as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 453 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Cayli most popular?
The single biggest year for Cayli was 1999, when 27 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Cayli is about 22 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Cayli a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Cayli in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.