Kaley
Kaley is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pure, or slim and slender, depending on whether traced to Greek or Gaelic origins.
Origin and history
Kaley is a modern English variant of the Gaelic name Kayley or a phonetic variation of Katherine (via the Greek pure/clear root). It gained noticeable popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries in the United States. Today it remains an accessible, contemporary choice with a gentle, friendly sound.
Popularity in the United States
13,682 babies in the United States have been named Kaley since 1880. It ranks #1355 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1684.
States where it is most popular
- FL (14.3 %)
- CA (10.7 %)
- TX (9.8 %)
- GA (5 %)
- OH (4.7 %)
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 | 20 |
| 1970-1980 | 130 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,583 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,905 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,622 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,005 |
| 2020-2029 | 417 |
Famous people named Kaley
- Kaley Cuoco: Actress, Producer
Nicknames
Kale, Kay, Lee
Fun facts
- Kaley is one of several phonetic spellings of Kaylee and Katelyn that spiked in usage during the late 1990s.
- As an Irish Gaelic derivation, it stems from the surname Ceallach or the word for a traditional social gathering (céilidh).