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Kayleigh
Fact sheet
- Name
- Kayleigh
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
Kayleigh is a female first name that represents an English variant of Kaylee. This double form may have developed from the names Kay and Lee. The German translation of the name means among other things 'the Pure', which can be traced back to Katharina.
What does the name Kayleigh mean?
The name Kayleigh is an English variant of Kaylee, a double form that likely originated from the names Kay and Lee. In German, it means both 'the Pure', derived from the name Katharina, and 'the Meadow' or 'the Clearing', stemming from the Old English term leah for 'meadow', 'forest', or 'clearing'. Additionally, Kayleigh could also be an alternative spelling of the name Kayley, an English variant of the old Irish surname O'Caollaidhe. In this context, the meaning is interpreted as 'the descendant of Caollaidhe' or, derived from the Old Irish word caol, which means 'narrow' or 'slender', also as 'the Slender'. Other variations of the name include Kayleen, Kaylea, Cailey, Caleigh, Caylee, Cayley, Kaylen, Kaylene, Kaylena, Kayli, Kaylie, Kaylin, and Kayliesha.
Where does the name Kayleigh come from?
The etymology of the name Kayleigh is both Old English and Old Greek, with the meanings 'the Pure' and 'the Meadow' being prominent. The Old English part comes from Lee, derived from leah, which means 'meadow', 'forest', or 'clearing'. The Old Greek part is derived from Katharina, where katharós (καθαρός) means 'pure', 'clean', 'unstained', or 'chaste'. The Old Irish origin refers to Caollaidhe, where caol means 'narrow' and 'slender'.
How do you pronounce Kayleigh?
The pronunciation of Kayleigh is bright and rhythmic. In the German variant, the name is usually pronounced as 'KEI-li' [ˈkeɪli], with the diphthong 'ei' emphasizing the first syllable. The gentle ending with '-leigh' or '-li' gives it a friendly, pleasant sound. Kayleigh thus appears modern and lively – playful, clear, and melodic.
Popularity
In Germany, Kayleigh is a common first name. Currently, it ranks 3,210th on the list of the most popular female baby names. Its best ranking was in 2006, when it reached 636th place. Over the last ten years, Kayleigh has been given as a first name about 50 times, placing it 3,498th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it is ranked 2,804th.
Nicknames & pet names
Callie / Jayk / Kailaig / Kakey / Kay / Kay-Kay / Kayk / Kayla / Kayles / Kiki / Lee
Similar first names
Famous people
- Kayleigh Caldwell (actress)
- Kayleigh McEnany (press secretary for Donald J. Trump 2016-2021)
- Kayleigh Pearson (model)
- Selena Marie Kayleigh Gomez (actress & singer)
Frequently asked questions about the name Kayleigh
What is the origin of the name Kayleigh?
Kayleigh has both Old English and Old Irish roots. The Old English part refers to 'leah', which means 'meadow' or 'clearing', while the Old Irish origin traces back to the name Caollaidhe.
What does the name Kayleigh mean?
Kayleigh means 'the Pure', derived from the name Katharina, as well as 'the Meadow' or 'the Clearing', based on the Old English term leah. Additionally, it could also mean 'the Slender', derived from the Old Irish word caol.
How popular is the name Kayleigh?
Kayleigh has been enjoying growing popularity in recent years, especially in English-speaking countries. Many variations of the name, such as Kaylee and Kayley, also contribute to its popularity.