Kayleigh first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kayleigh has been for the last 40 years (from 1984 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kayleigh

A feminine name of Irish origin, representing a meadow and a place name.

Popularity of Kayleigh by gender

Based on the last 40 years of data, Kayleigh is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Kayleigh being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 466 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kayleigh.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 466
2022 0 588
2021 0 752
2020 0 700
2019 0 644
2018 0 703
2017 0 796
2016 0 954
2015 0 1,008
2014 0 1,173
2013 0 1,133
2012 0 1,227
2011 0 1,286
2010 0 1,297
2009 0 1,449
2008 0 1,434
2007 0 1,396
2006 0 1,230
2005 0 1,234
2004 7 1,161
2003 0 1,072
2002 0 945
2001 0 962
2000 0 885
1999 0 818
1998 0 793
1997 0 690
1996 0 633
1995 0 598
1994 0 576
1993 0 621
1992 0 627
1991 0 658
1990 0 620
1989 0 609
1988 0 565
1987 0 537
1986 0 748
1985 0 211
1984 0 7

The history of the first name Kayleigh

The name Kayleigh originates from the English language and is a variant of the name Kaylee, which has its roots in the Old English word "cælic" meaning "chalice" or "cup." This suggests that the name may have been used in reference to someone's occupation or role related to serving drinks or vessels.

The earliest recorded use of the name Kayleigh dates back to the late 20th century, with the spelling gaining popularity in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. It is believed to have emerged as a modern variation of the traditional name Kaylee, possibly influenced by the trend of creating unique and personalized name variations.

While the name Kayleigh does not have a long historical record or appear in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been embraced by several notable individuals throughout the years. One of the earliest notable bearers of the name was Kayleigh McEnany, born in 1988, who served as the White House Press Secretary under President Donald Trump from 2020 to 2021.

Another individual with the name Kayleigh is Kayleigh Haywood, a British teenager who tragically lost her life in 2015 at the age of 15. Her case brought attention to the issue of online grooming and sparked discussions around internet safety for minors.

In the world of sports, Kayleigh Nankivell, born in 1992, is a British artistic gymnast who has represented Great Britain in international competitions and won multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games.

In the entertainment industry, Kayleigh Pearson, born in 1988, is a British actress known for her roles in television series such as "Ackley Bridge" and "The Bay."

Kayleigh Bateman, born in 1989, is a British singer and songwriter who rose to fame as a contestant on the reality television show "The X Factor" in 2007.

While these are just a few examples, the name Kayleigh has gained popularity in recent decades, particularly in English-speaking countries, and continues to be embraced by individuals from various backgrounds and walks of life.

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

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

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"Kayleigh first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 14, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kayleigh-meaning-and-history/.

"Kayleigh first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kayleigh-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 14 November, 2024

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

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