Kaye
Kaye is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pure.
Origin and history
Kaye originated as a modern short form or spelling variant of Katherine, traced back to the Greek name Aikaterine. It has also functioned historically as a surname of Middle English and Old French derivation. In the United States, it enjoyed peak popularity during the mid-20th century and remains a familiar classic middle or given name today.
Popularity in the United States
13,204 babies in the United States have been named Kaye since 1880. It ranks #1389 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2027.
States where it is most popular
- MI (8 %)
- TX (7.1 %)
- NC (6 %)
- OH (5.9 %)
- WI (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 18 |
| 1910-1920 | 181 |
| 1920-1930 | 293 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,442 |
| 1940-1950 | 4,334 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,537 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,008 |
| 1970-1980 | 495 |
| 1980-1990 | 374 |
| 1990-2000 | 209 |
| 2000-2010 | 138 |
| 2010-2019 | 101 |
| 2020-2029 | 74 |
Famous people named Kaye
- Kaye Ballard: Actress, Comedian
- Kaye Gibbons: Author, Novelist
- Kaye Stevens: Singer, Actress
Fun facts
- Originally a short form of Katherine, Kaye evolved into an independent given name in English-speaking countries during the 20th century.
- The name experienced its highest popularity in the United States between the 1930s and 1950s.