Find out how popular the first name Kayley has been for the last 47 years (from 1977 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kayley by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Kayley is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 55 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kayley.

The history of the first name Kayley

The name Kayley is an English variant of the Scottish name Cailley, which is a feminine form of the Gaelic name Cailean. This name is thought to have derived from the Old Irish name Caillin, meaning "bright-headed" or "young beau." The name Caillin is believed to have originated from the Old Celtic word "cail," meaning "bright" or "fair."

The earliest recorded use of the name Kayley dates back to the late 19th century in England. It is believed that the spelling variation with a "y" emerged during this time as a way to distinguish the name from the more common spelling of "Kailey."

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Kayley was Kayley Cuoco, an American actress born in 1985. She is best known for her role as Penny on the popular sitcom "The Big Bang Theory."

In literature, the name Kayley appears in the 1998 animated film "Quest for Camelot." The character Kayley is a brave and adventurous young woman who sets out on a journey to save the kingdom of Camelot.

Another famous bearer of the name was Kayley Sheehan, an American figure skater who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

In the world of politics, Kayley Frye was a Canadian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 2016 to 2019.

Kayley Woollacott is a British horse trainer and racehorse owner who has won numerous prestigious races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022.

While the name Kayley has roots in Scottish and Irish Gaelic cultures, it has gained popularity in various parts of the English-speaking world, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.

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

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

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