Kaleigh
Kaleigh is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Slender, fair, or descendant of Ceallach (bright-headed or warlike).
Origin and history
Kaleigh is a modern phonetic spelling variation of the Gaelic name Ceallach, often connected to the name Kaylee or Callie. It gained notable popularity in the United States starting in the late 20th century as part of the trend for names ending in the 'lee' sound. Today, it remains a familiar feminine name with a contemporary American feel.
Popularity in the United States
16,244 babies in the United States have been named Kaleigh since 1880. It ranks #1209 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1598.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9.7 %)
- FL (6 %)
- GA (5.9 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
- NY (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,397 |
| 1990-2000 | 5,270 |
| 2000-2010 | 6,286 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,787 |
| 2020-2029 | 504 |
Famous people named Kaleigh
- Kaleigh Gilchrist: Athlete, Water Polo Player
- Kaleigh Cronin: Actress, Singer
Nicknames
Kay, Lee, Kale
Fun facts
- Kaleigh adapted traditional Irish and Scottish Gaelic root sounds into a streamlined late-20th-century American spelling.
- The name experienced its highest surge in U.S. birth registry usage during the 1990s and early 2000s.