Kay
Kay is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pure, or rejoiced.
Origin and history
Kay is a classic name historically derived as a short form of Katherine, meaning 'pure', or from the Latin name Caius. It gained legendary status through Sir Kay, a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian lore. Though widely used as a standalone name in the mid-20th century in the U.S., its popularity has decreased in recent decades.
Popularity in the United States
98,621 babies in the United States have been named Kay since 1880. It ranks #379 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1847.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.4 %)
- MI (6.9 %)
- OH (6.6 %)
- PA (6.2 %)
- IL (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 31 |
| 1890-1900 | 122 |
| 1900-1910 | 452 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,173 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,665 |
| 1930-1940 | 17,301 |
| 1940-1950 | 32,654 |
| 1950-1960 | 24,645 |
| 1960-1970 | 12,390 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,517 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,409 |
| 1990-2000 | 869 |
| 2000-2010 | 635 |
| 2010-2019 | 504 |
| 2020-2029 | 254 |
Famous people named Kay
- Kay Kendall: actress
- Kay Francis: actress
- Kay Adams: sportscaster, tv host
Fun facts
- Sir Kay is well known as King Arthur's foster brother and one of the Knights of the Round Table.
- Kay enjoyed its highest popularity in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s.