Kaylyn
A feminine name of Irish origin, potentially derived from the term cadhla meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful friend".
Name Census estimates that about 11,713 living Americans carry the first name Kaylyn. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Kaylyn today is around 25 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kaylyn births was 1994 (464 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kaylyn. 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
12K
~ 1 in 29,263 Americans
Peak year
1994
464 babies that year
Average age
25
years old
2022 SSA rank
#2,857
Tracked since 1949
Gender
Gender distribution for Kaylyn
Out of the 12,020 babies given the name Kaylyn since 1880, 99.7% were registered as female. The name sits firmly on the female side of the spectrum, with only a handful of male registrations across the entire dataset.
Kaylyn as a male name
- Ranked #13,326 in 2022
- 5 male births in 2022
- Peak: 2004 (7 births)
Kaylyn as a female name
- Ranked #2,857 in 2024
- 58 female births in 2024
- Peak: 1997 (462 births)
Popularity
Kaylyn: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kaylyn from the 1940s through to the 2020s, spanning 9 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 4,190 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
Kaylyn 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 Kaylyn during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Kaylyns live
The SSA's state-level files cover 42 states and territories. California, Texas, Florida recorded the most babies named Kaylyn, while New Mexico, North Dakota, Alaska recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 229 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Kaylyn
The name Kaylyn is a modern feminine variant of the traditional Scottish name Caitlin or Cathleen, which is derived from the ancient Gaelic name Caitlín. This name has its roots in the late 20th century, emerging as a popular choice for baby girls in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and Canada.
The original Gaelic form, Caitlín, is a diminutive of the name Cáit, which is believed to have evolved from the Old Celtic word "cath" or "cat," meaning "battle" or "warrior." This suggests that the name may have been associated with strength, courage, or a fighter's spirit in its early origins.
While the name Kaylyn itself does not have a significant historical record or references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its connection to the Gaelic Caitlín and the Old Celtic "cath" provides a link to the rich cultural heritage of the Celtic peoples.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Kaylyn as a distinct variant are relatively recent, dating back to the late 20th century. However, there have been a few notable individuals throughout history who have borne this name or its variations.
One of the earliest recorded examples is Kaylyn Kyle, a Canadian soccer player born in 1988, who represented Canada's national team and played professionally in various leagues around the world. Another individual is Kaylyn Hoskins, an American writer and artist born in 1972, known for her work in children's literature and illustration.
In the realm of sports, Kaylyn Kyle, the Canadian soccer player mentioned above, was a prominent figure, representing her country in multiple FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments and Olympic Games between 2008 and 2016.
In the entertainment industry, Kaylyn Hoskins, the writer and artist, has made significant contributions to children's literature, with her books and illustrations gaining recognition and acclaim.
Another notable individual named Kaylyn is Kaylyn Sigler, an American actress born in 1997, who has appeared in several television shows and films, including the popular Disney Channel series "Bunk'd."
While the name Kaylyn is a relatively modern coinage, its connection to the ancient Gaelic roots and the Old Celtic word "cath" imbues it with a sense of strength and resilience, reflecting the warrior spirit of its linguistic heritage.
People
Kaylyn + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kaylyn 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
Kaylyn: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kaylyn?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 11,713 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kaylyn 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 29,263 US residents.
Is Kaylyn a common name?
We classify Kaylyn as "Uncommon". It ranks above 97.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 12,020 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kaylyn most popular?
The single biggest year for Kaylyn was 1994, when 464 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kaylyn is about 25 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Kaylyn a female name?
Yes, 99.7% of people registered as Kaylyn 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.