Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Kayleigh isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1984. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Kayleigh through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 34,568
- 7 boys · 34,561 girls
- Most popular year
- 2009
- 1,450 babies
- 2025
- 340
- #804 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −33%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 340 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 804 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 33.4% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 1,450 in 2009. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (32). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 28,397 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Kayleigh’s family of names
In English usage, Kayleigh has a related form in Kaylee. Kayleigh has a related form in Kaila.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Kayleigh
- Chappell RoanAmerican singer (born 1998)
- Kayleigh McEnanyAmerican political commentator and writer (born 1988)
- Kayleigh BartonWelsh association football player (born 1988)
- Kayleigh HinesEnglish association football playerborn 1991
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Kayleigh, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Kyleigh
“from the narrow channel”
>99% girls
Kaydence
“rhythmic and melodious; a musical woman” · “rhythmic and melodious; a musical man”
11% boys · 89% girls
Keira
“little dark-haired one” · “having dark features; the little dark one”
>99% girls
Aniyah
“a woman graced with God's favor”
>99% girls
Kynzleigh
>99% girls
Amani
“one who is peaceful” · “one with wishes and dreams”
18% boys · 82% girls
Jaylynn
“resembling a jaybird”
7% boys · 93% girls
Analia
Analia is a feminine given name from Spanish.
>99% girls