Find out how popular the first name Kyle has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kyle by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kyle is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Kyle being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 754 male babies and 30 female babies born with the name Kyle.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 30 baby girls were named Kyle in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kyle

The name Kyle has its origins in the Celtic language and culture, dating back to the Middle Ages. Its earliest form was the Gaelic name "Cailill" or "Caolaidhe," derived from the words "cael" meaning "slender" and "gille" meaning "lad" or "servant."

This name was particularly popular in Scotland and Ireland, where it was often associated with the Clan Kyle, a prominent Scottish clan with roots in Ayrshire. The name Kyle is also believed to have been influenced by the Norse word "keila," which means "narrow strip of land."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kyle can be found in the medieval Irish text "Annals of the Four Masters," which mentions a King Cailill of Connacht in the 7th century. The name also appears in various Scottish historical records and documents from the 11th century onwards.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Kyle. One of the earliest was Kyle of Lochalsh (c. 1010-1070), a Scottish warrior and Chief of the Clan Mackenzie. Another prominent figure was Kyle Oge O'Donnell (c. 1509-1566), an Irish chieftain and Lord of Tyrconnell.

In more recent times, Kyle Rote Jr. (1942-2018) was an American soccer player and coach who played for the United States national team and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Kyle Petty (born 1960) is a former NASCAR driver and current television analyst, while Kyle Korver (born 1981) is a retired professional basketball player who spent 17 seasons in the NBA.

Other notable individuals with the name Kyle include Kyle MacLachlan (born 1959), an American actor known for his roles in films such as "Dune" and "Blue Velvet," and Kyle Chandler (born 1965), an American actor who starred in the critically acclaimed television series "Friday Night Lights."

These examples demonstrate the enduring popularity and diverse cultural influences of the name Kyle, which has evolved from its Celtic roots to become a recognizable name across various regions and time periods.

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

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

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