NameCensus.
Very Rare

Kylem

Name of uncertain meaning or origin, possibly derived from Kyle.

Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Kylem. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Kylem today is around 13 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kylem births was 2013 (5 babies).

This page is the full Name Census profile for Kylem. 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.

Key insights

  • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Kylem. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.

People living today

5

~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans

Peak year

2013

5 babies that year

Average age

13

years old

2013 SSA rank

#13,233

Tracked since 2013

Popularity

Kylem: popularity over time

Babies born per year

01345

Decades

Kylem 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 Kylem during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.

DecadeMaleFemaleTotal
2010s505

Origin

Meaning and history of Kylem

The name Kylem is believed to have originated from the ancient Celtic language and culture, dating back to the Iron Age period in Europe. It is thought to be derived from the Celtic root words "kyl" and "em," which together roughly translate to "strong protector" or "guardian of the clan."

In the early days of Celtic societies, names were often chosen to reflect the desired qualities or aspirations for a child, and Kylem likely held significance as a name that embodied strength, bravery, and a sense of duty to one's community. The name's linguistic roots can be traced back to the ancient Brittonic languages spoken in areas that now encompass parts of modern-day Britain, France, and the Iberian Peninsula.

While no definitive historical records exist detailing the earliest uses of the name Kylem, it is believed to have been in circulation among Celtic tribes and settlements prior to the Roman conquest of these regions. The name's endurance and spread throughout the centuries can be attributed to the migration patterns of Celtic populations and the cultural exchanges that occurred as a result of trade, warfare, and intermarriage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kylem can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a medieval Irish chronicle that documented events from the 5th to the 16th centuries. The entry, dated around the year 1050, mentions a Kylem mac Cináed, a nobleman and warrior from the northern regions of Ireland. This reference provides a glimpse into the name's use during the Middle Ages and its association with notable figures of the time.

Throughout history, several individuals bearing the name Kylem have left their mark across various fields and disciplines. In the 12th century, Kylem of Clonmacnoise was a renowned Irish scribe and calligrapher, known for his intricate work in creating illuminated manuscripts. His contributions helped preserve and propagate Celtic art and literature during a period of cultural upheaval.

In the realm of exploration and adventure, Kylem Fitzgerald (1560-1628) was an Irish navigator and explorer who accompanied Sir Walter Raleigh on his expeditions to the Americas. Fitzgerald's journals and maps provided invaluable insights into the early European encounters with the New World, shaping our understanding of that pivotal era.

During the 17th century, Kylem MacGregor (1617-1692) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister and renowned scholar. His writings on theology and philosophy were widely influential in shaping religious thought and discourse throughout the British Isles and beyond.

More recently, Kylem O'Malley (1876-1958) was an Irish poet and playwright whose works celebrated the rich cultural heritage of his homeland. His poignant verses and thought-provoking plays captured the spirit of the Irish people and helped preserve their traditions in the face of rapid societal changes.

While the name Kylem may not be as common today as it once was, its enduring legacy serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of cultural influences that have shaped our world. From ancient Celtic roots to modern literary and artistic expressions, the name Kylem continues to evoke a sense of strength, resilience, and a deep connection to one's heritage.

People

Kylem + last name combinations

How many people share a full name with Kylem 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

Kylem: questions and answers

How many people in the U.S. are named Kylem?

Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kylem 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 68,550,868 US residents.

Is Kylem a common name?

We classify Kylem as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.

When was Kylem most popular?

The single biggest year for Kylem was 2013, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kylem is about 13 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.

What does the SSA popularity chart show?

The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Kylem in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.

Is Kylem a male name?

Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kylem in the SSA data are male. 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.

Is Kylem still being used today?

Yes. The SSA still recorded Kylem in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.

Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?

Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Kylem can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.

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.

Does every first name have Census demographic data?

No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.

How many people are called Kylem?

For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.

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Kylem

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