Find out how popular the first name Kayl has been for the last 36 years (from 1987 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kayl by gender

Based on the last 36 years of data, Kayl is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 90% of people named Kayl being male.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kayl.

The history of the first name Kayl

The name Kayl is believed to have originated in ancient Gaelic cultures, deriving from the Celtic word "caol," which means "slender" or "narrow." This name was particularly prevalent in regions of Scotland, Ireland, and parts of Wales during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kayl can be found in the Irish Annals, a collection of historical records documenting events in medieval Ireland. In the Annals of Ulster, there is a reference to a person named Kayl mac Áedáin, who lived in the 7th century AD.

In the 9th century, the name Kayl appears in the ancient Welsh epic poem "Y Gododdin," which recounts the battle of Catraeth. The poem mentions a warrior named Kayl ap Gwrgi, who fought bravely alongside his kinsmen.

During the High Middle Ages, the name Kayl gained popularity among noble families in Scotland. One notable bearer of this name was Kayl MacDonald, a 13th-century Scottish chieftain from the Clan Donald, who played a significant role in the Scottish Wars of Independence against England.

In the realm of literature, the name Kayl is featured in the Arthurian legends. In the 15th-century text "Le Morte d'Arthur" by Sir Thomas Malory, there is a character named Sir Kayl the Tall, a Knight of the Round Table known for his exceptional height and prowess in combat.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Kayl. These include Kayl O'Duffy (1572-1628), an Irish poet and soldier who served in the Nine Years' War; Kayl MacDonald (1698-1766), a Scottish Jacobite and military leader who fought in the Jacobite Rising of 1745; and Kayl Mackenzie (1811-1888), a Scottish explorer and author who documented his travels in the Canadian Northwest Territories.

While the name Kayl has its roots in ancient Celtic cultures, it has since spread to various parts of the world, albeit with varying spellings and pronunciations. However, its connection to the concepts of slenderness and nobility remains a part of its historical significance.

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 Kayl was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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