Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Kayley
Kayley
Pronounced KAY-lee /ΛkeΙͺ.li/High
Meaning: From the Irish surname Γ Caollaidhe, from caol, 'slender'Medium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Kayley has a double pedigree. As an Irish surname, Kealy or Keeley descends from Γ Caollaidhe, rooted in caol, 'slender'; as a modern given name, it usually represents a blend of Kay β itself short for Katherine β with the popular -ley ending, part of the same family as Hayley and Bailey. Some parents also connect it to the Irish cΓ©ilΓ, the festive social dance.
The Kaylee sound exploded in late twentieth-century America in a dizzying array of spellings β Kaylee, Kayleigh, Kaylie, Kailey, Kayley β together making it one of the defining girl-name sounds of its era. The -ley spelling is among the less common, giving a slightly British finish to a thoroughly modern favorite.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Kayleyβ¦
Explore names like Kayley
Frequently Asked
What does the name Kayley mean?
Kayley is linked to the Irish surname Γ Caollaidhe, from caol, 'slender'; for most modern parents it is a blend of Kay with the -ley ending.
How do you pronounce Kayley?
It's said KAY-lee /ΛkeΙͺ.li/ β two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Kayley a boy or girl name?
Kayley is a girl's name.
How popular is Kayley?
Kayley is now a rare spelling in the U.S.; the sound itself was a major favorite a generation ago, led by Kaylee.