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Karleigh
Pronounced KAR-lee /หkษหrliห/High
Meaning: Free woman; from the Germanic karl (free man) combined with the Old English leah (meadow, clearing), in the style of Carley/KarleyHigh
Popularity in the U.S. ยท SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880โpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Karleigh is a modern orthographic variant of Carley or Karley, which are feminine forms of the Germanic name Karl (Old High German karl meaning 'free man'). The name entered English as Charles via the Latin Carolus, and its feminine form Carla/Karla has been in use since the medieval period. The -leigh spelling variant became fashionable in late 20th-century America.
The Karleigh spelling sits within a broad family of Carla/Karla derivatives โ including Carley, Carly, Karlee, and Karli โ all drawing on the same Germanic freedom root. The -leigh ending, borrowed from Old English place names, lends it an upscale, distinctive look that has appealed to parents who want a familiar name with a unique touch.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Karleigh mean?
Karleigh means 'free woman,' derived from the Germanic karl (free man), in the style of the name Carley or Carly.
How do you pronounce Karleigh?
Karleigh is pronounced KAR-lee /หkษหrliห/ โ two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Karleigh a boy or girl name?
Karleigh is used as a girls' name.
How popular is Karleigh?
Karleigh is a rare spelling variant; the root name Carly was a U.S. top-200 girls' name from the 1980s into the 2000s.