Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Keil

Keil

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Keil

Pronounced KYLE /ˈkaɪl/Medium

Meaning: Keil is usually a respelling of Kyle, from the Scottish Gaelic caol, 'narrow, a strait or channel', a place-name feature of the western Scottish coast. Separately, Keil is a real German surname meaning 'wedge'. For an American boy the Kyle route is the likeliest, though the German route is possible; we note both.Low

In 30 seconds: Keil is chiefly a spelling of Kyle, from the Scottish caol, 'a narrow strait', and also a German surname meaning 'wedge' (said KYLE).
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowScottish, German
MeaningKeil is usually a respelling of Kyle, from the Scottish Gaelic caol, 'narrow, a strait or channel', a place-name feature of the western Scottish coast. Separately, Keil is a real German surname meaning 'wedge'. For an American boy the Kyle route is the likeliest, though the German route is possible; we note both.
U.S. rank (2015)#13090 ↘ Falling
2015 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1985
Total births (all-time)≈ 317

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198519662015

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Keil most often reads as a spelling of Kyle, from the Scottish Gaelic caol, 'narrow' or 'a strait', a landscape word turned surname and then first name. It is also a genuine German surname meaning 'wedge'. The single-syllable spelling can mislead the eye, which is why the sound is best given as 'Kyle'.

It was never common, given to only a couple dozen boys a year around its mid-1980s high and rare throughout. A man named Keil from then is now in his late thirties.

Did you know? The Kyle behind Keil comes from a Scottish word for a narrow sea-channel, the sort of coastal feature that gave many Scottish place-names their names.
Overall data confidence 40%
References - Keil — Spelling of Kyle < Scottish caol 'strait'; also German surname 'wedge'

Variations

KyleKileKyl

Nicknames

KyK

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Keil…

Kyle— the standard name Keil respells
Cole— a like one-beat boys' name
Dale— a similar short landscape-name
Reid— another crisp single-syllable pick

Explore names like Keil

By themeuncertainshortscottishrespelled

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Keil mean?

As a form of Kyle it means 'a narrow strait', from Scottish Gaelic caol; as a German surname it means 'wedge'.

How do you pronounce Keil?

It's said KYLE /ˈkaɪl/, one syllable, just like Kyle.

Is Keil a boy or girl name?

Keil is used as a boy's name.

Is Keil a popular name?

No, it has always been rare, an uncommon spelling of Kyle.

💬 Ask Nia