Kile

♂ Boy

Pronounced KYLE /ˈkaɪl/High

Meaning: Kile is a simplified spelling of Kyle, a Scottish name from the Gaelic caol, 'narrow', used of a strait, sound or channel, and originally a place-name and surname in Ayrshire.Medium

In 30 seconds: Kile is a variant spelling of Kyle, from Scottish Gaelic for 'narrow strait' (said 'KYLE').

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Origin MediumScottish

MeaningKile is a simplified spelling of Kyle, a Scottish name from the Gaelic caol, 'narrow', used of a strait, sound or channel, and originally a place-name and surname in Ayrshire.

U.S. rank (2019)#13205 ↘ Falling

2019 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1996

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,065

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Kile is a variant spelling of Kyle, a Scottish name from the Gaelic caol, 'narrow', used of a strait, sound or channel. Kyle began as a place-name and surname in Ayrshire before becoming a popular boys' first name.

The Kile spelling always trailed the standard Kyle, reaching a modest high around 1996 and remaining uncommon. It reads as a spelling variant of a familiar name rather than a distinct tradition of its own.

Did you know? Kile is Kyle written a shade differently; it followed the same rise of Kyle as a boys' name, reaching its own modest high around 1996.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Kile — variant spelling of Kyle; Scottish Gaelic caol 'narrow'

Variations

KyleKiel

Nicknames

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If you like Kile…

Kyle— the standard spelling Kile varies, same Gaelic meaning

Kai— another short, single-syllable modern boys' name

Cole— a like one-syllable boys' name of the same era

Kane— a similar brisk, single-syllable boys' name

Explore names like Kile

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kile mean?

Kile is a spelling of Kyle, from Scottish Gaelic caol, meaning 'narrow strait' or 'channel'.

How do you pronounce Kile?

It's said KYLE /ˈkaɪl/ — one syllable, the same as Kyle.

Is Kile a boy or girl name?

Kile is used as a boy's name, a spelling of Kyle.

How popular is Kile?

Kile was always an uncommon spelling, well behind the standard Kyle.