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Kylie
Pronounced KY-lee /ˈkaɪ.li/High
Meaning: Boomerang; from an Aboriginal Australian Noongar word kylie or giley meaning curved throwing stickMedium
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
Kylie has two proposed origins. The most cited is the Noongar (Western Australian Aboriginal) word kylie or giley, referring to a type of boomerang. Alternatively, it may be a feminine form of Kyle, a Scottish/Irish name from Gaelic caol ('narrow strait'). The name first appeared in Australia in the mid-20th century.
Kylie became a top name in Australia in the late 1970s and 1980s, significantly boosted by pop singer Kylie Minogue. In the United States it gained popularity in the 1990s and 2000s. More recently, Kylie Jenner (b. 1997) has given the name renewed visibility for a new generation.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Kylie Minogue (b. 1968)Australian pop icon and actress, known for hits like 'Locomotion' and 'Can't Get You Out of My Head.'
- ★Kylie Jenner (b. 1997)American media personality, model, and beauty entrepreneur.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Kylie mean?
Kylie's meaning is debated. It may come from an Aboriginal Australian word for a boomerang, or it may be a feminine form of Kyle, meaning 'narrow strait.'
How do you pronounce Kylie?
Kylie is pronounced KY-lee (/ˈkaɪ.li/) — two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Kylie a boy or girl name?
Kylie is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.
How popular is Kylie?
Kylie has been a top-100 U.S. girls' name since the 1990s, boosted by both Kylie Minogue and Kylie Jenner.