Quay

♂ Boy

Pronounced KEE /ˈkiː/Medium

Meaning: A word name from 'quay,' a wharf or landing place along water (via Old French/Celtic). Short and breezy; also a modern short coinage. Routes word/coinage.Low

In 30 seconds: A short, breezy word name: Quay means 'a wharf; a landing by water' (said 'KEE'). Crisp and modern.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningA word name from 'quay,' a wharf or landing place along water (via Old French/Celtic). Short and breezy; also a modern short coinage. Routes word/coinage.

U.S. rank (2024)#10623 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1971

Total births (all-time)≈ 397

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

Quay comes from the word 'quay,' a wharf or waterside landing (via Old French, from a Celtic root). As a name it reads short and breezy, and doubles as a modern coinage; routes uncertain, which we note — rare in the U.S. (said 'KEE').

It appears only rarely in U.S. data. Rare, breezy, and short.

Did you know? Quay is a word name — a 'quay' is a wharf or landing place along water — pronounced 'KEE'; it also reads as a short modern coinage, so its route as a name is a word/coinage blend, which we note.

Overall data confidence 32%

References — Quay — word name 'wharf'; also coinage; routes uncertain

Variations

QuayeKayKwe

Nicknames

QQuaye

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Quay…

Kai— a like short water-linked name

Cove— a like watery word name

Bay— a like breezy nature word

Reef— a like short coastal word name

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By themeuncertain word-name short nature-adjacent

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Quay mean?

Quay is a word name meaning 'a wharf; a landing place by water'; it also reads as a modern coinage. Routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Quay?

It's said KEE /ˈkiː/ — one syllable.

Is Quay a boy or girl name?

Quay is a boy's name.

How popular is Quay?

Quay is a rare name in the U.S.