"joyful gathering, dance"
Origin: Irish/Scottish Gaelic
Language: English
Cailee
Does Cailee flow with your last name?
A lyrical Celtic name meaning joyful gathering and dance
American
Irish-American
Scottish-American
Modern
Playful
Gentle
Classic
Trendy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"slender, fair"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
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The Story of Cailee
Cailee is a phonetic variant of Kaylee/Kailey, which itself connects to the Irish/Scottish word 'ceilidh' (pronounced kay-lee) — a traditional Gaelic social gathering featuring folk music, dance, and storytelling. It may also be a modern American blend of Kay and Lee. The ceilidh connection gives Cailee roots in one of the most joyful traditions in Celtic culture: a community coming together to celebrate, dance, and tell stories. The alternate spelling -ee ending is characteristic of 2000s American feminine naming.
Cailee is a creative spelling of the popular Kaylee/Kailey family, which reached peak popularity in the US around 2007. The -ee ending was the dominant feminine name pattern of the early 2000s. Actress Cailee Spaeny brought fresh attention to this spelling when she won Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival in 2023 for her portrayal of Priscilla Presley.
In Scottish and Irish tradition, a ceilidh is one of the most beloved community events — an informal gathering where traditional music and dance bring people of all ages together. A child named Cailee carries an invitation to joy and community within her very name.
Historical Record
Cailee first appeared in US Social Security records in 1986.
Over 1,759 babies have been named Cailee in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cailee is past its peak , currently ranked #4,722 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Cailee Spaeny won Best Actress at the 2023 Venice Film Festival for 'Priscilla', a biopic about Priscilla Presley
- A 'ceilidh' (the Gaelic word this may derive from) is a traditional Scottish/Irish social gathering with folk music and dancing
Cailee in Other Languages
Irish
Ceilidh
Arabic
كيلي
French
Cailee
Spanish
Cailee
Japanese
ケイリー
Popularity Over Time
#4,722
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1999
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cailee
C
Cailee Spaeny
Actor
1998
American actress who won Best Actress at the 2023 Venice Film Festival for 'Priscilla', also known for Civil War (2024)
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Compare Cailee with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,722
- Total SSA Count
- 29
- Cultural Origins
- American Irish-American Scottish-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cai
Lee
Cae
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cailee
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cailee
What does the name Cailee mean?
"joyful gathering, dance" (from Irish/Scottish Gaelic). "slender, fair" (from Irish Gaelic). Cailee is a phonetic variant of Kaylee/Kailey, which itself connects to the Irish/Scottish word 'ceilidh' (pronounced kay-lee) — a traditional Gaelic social gathering featuring folk music, dance, and storytelling. It may also be a modern American blend of Kay and Lee. The ceilidh connection gives Cailee roots in one of the most joyful traditions in Celtic culture: a community coming together to celebrate, dance, and tell stories. The alternate spelling -ee ending is characteristic of 2000s American feminine naming.
What is the origin of the name Cailee?
Cailee has Irish/Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, American, Irish-American, and Scottish-American origins. In Irish/Scottish Gaelic, it means "joyful gathering, dance". In Irish Gaelic, it means "slender, fair".
Is Cailee a boy or girl name?
Cailee is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Cailee?
Cailee is currently ranked #4722 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cailee?
Common nicknames for Cailee include Cai, Lee, and Cae.
What are good middle names for Cailee?
Popular middle name pairings include Cailee Rose, Cailee Anne, Cailee Grace, Cailee Mae, Cailee Jo, Cailee Renee, and Cailee Lynn.
What are good sibling names for Cailee?
Names that pair well with Cailee as siblings include Zoey, Hailey, Emmaline, Paige, Liam, Rory, and Finn.
How many syllables does Cailee have?
Cailee has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cailee a common or rare name?
Cailee is an uncommon name, ranked #4722 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Cailee?
Are there other spellings for Cailee?
Related spellings include Cailyn.
About the Name Cailee
Cailee is a girl name with American, Irish-American, and Scottish-American origins . The name means "joyful gathering, dance" in Irish/Scottish Gaelic .
Cailee is currently ranked #4,722 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cailee has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cailee include Cai, Lee, and Cae. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cailee include Cailyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis