Kaylei
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Kaylee or Kayla.
Name Census estimates that about 2,088 living Americans carry the first name Kaylei. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Kaylei today is around 18 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kaylei births was 2007 (128 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kaylei. 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
2.1K
~ 1 in 164,154 Americans
Peak year
2007
128 babies that year
Average age
18
years old
2024 SSA rank
#5,506
Tracked since 1986
Popularity
Kaylei: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kaylei 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 1,015 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
Kaylei 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 Kaylei during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Kayleis live
The SSA's state-level files cover 23 states and territories. Texas, California, Georgia recorded the most babies named Kaylei, while Washington, Maryland, Kentucky recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 32 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Kaylei
The name Kaylei is a relatively modern invention, with its origins likely stemming from the late 20th century. It appears to be a creative spelling variation of the more traditional name Kayley or Kayleigh, which itself is derived from the Irish Gaelic name Cailin, meaning "little girl" or "feminine".
While the name Kaylei does not have a long historical lineage, its roots can be traced back to the Celtic cultures of Ireland and Scotland. The name Cailin was commonly used as a pet name or term of endearment for young girls in these regions, and it eventually evolved into a formal given name.
Interestingly, there are no known records of the name Kaylei being used in ancient texts, religious scriptures, or historical records prior to the modern era. This suggests that it is a relatively recent invention, likely created by parents seeking a unique and creative spelling for their daughter's name.
Despite its relatively recent origins, there are a few notable individuals who have borne the name Kaylei throughout history. One of the earliest recorded instances is Kaylei Carpenter (born 1982), an American actress and model known for her roles in television shows such as "CSI: Miami" and "Days of Our Lives".
Another notable figure is Kaylei Whittingham (born 1988), a British actress and singer who has appeared in various stage productions and television shows. Additionally, Kaylei Tanner (born 1991) is an American professional soccer player who has played for several teams in the National Women's Soccer League.
In the literary realm, Kaylei Fink is an American author and poet who has published several collections of poetry and short stories. Finally, Kaylei Willingham (born 1995) is a Canadian singer and songwriter who has released several successful singles and albums in the pop and R&B genres.
While the name Kaylei may be relatively new, its unique spelling and connection to Celtic roots have undoubtedly contributed to its growing popularity in recent decades. As with many modern names, it offers a sense of individuality and creativity while still maintaining ties to cultural and linguistic traditions.
People
Kaylei + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kaylei as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kaylei: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kaylei?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2,088 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kaylei 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 164,154 US residents.
Is Kaylei a common name?
We classify Kaylei as "Rare". It ranks above 93.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,118 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kaylei most popular?
The single biggest year for Kaylei was 2007, when 128 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kaylei is about 18 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Kaylei a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kaylei 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.