"gentle, beautiful"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Caylee
Does Caylee flow with your last name?
A sunny modern name with Irish dance roots
American
Irish
Modern
Playful
Gentle
Trendy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Caylee
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Caylee
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"festive gathering (from céilí)"
Origin: Irish
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Caylee
See all →What the Caylee report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Caylee the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Caylee
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Caylee head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Caylee actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Caylee Anthony (2005-2008), whose disappearance and the subsequent murder trial of her mother was one of the most publicized criminal cases in US history
The Story of Caylee
Caylee is a spelling variant of Kaylee, derived from Irish Gaelic origins including Caoimhe (meaning 'gentle, beautiful, precious') and the Irish 'céilí,' referring to traditional Gaelic social gatherings with music and dance. The spelling 'Caylee' was among several creative variants that emerged in the 1990s as parents sought distinctive spellings while preserving the same warm, sunny pronunciation.
Caylee was rising in American popularity in the early 2000s but suffered a significant decline following the 2008 Caylee Anthony case, in which the Florida toddler's disappearance led to a years-long murder investigation and trial of her mother Casey Anthony — a case that drew massive national media coverage and emotional public response.
The Caylee Anthony case (2008-2011) became one of the most watched criminal proceedings in American history, regularly compared to the O.J. Simpson trial for its media saturation. This association has made many American parents hesitant to use the name, though the association may fade as a new generation grows up less aware of the case.
Historical Record
Caylee first appeared in US Social Security records in 1980.
Over 9,682 babies have been named Caylee in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Caylee is past its peak , currently ranked #1,936 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Caylee may derive from the Irish 'céilí,' a festive communal gathering with traditional music, song, and dance
- The name shares its pronunciation with at least 10 different spellings currently in use in the US
Caylee in Other Languages
Irish
Caoimhe
English
Kaylee
Spanish
Caylee
Popularity Over Time
#1,936
Current Rank
Peaked 2009
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Caylee
C
Caylee Anthony
Other
2005
American toddler from Florida whose disappearance and death led to one of the most publicized criminal trials in US hist...
American toddler from Florida whose disappearance and death led to one of the most publicized criminal trials in US history
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,936
- Total SSA Count
- 103
- Cultural Origins
- American Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cay
Lee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
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
-
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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Caylee
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Caylee fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Caylee →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Caylee with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Caylee
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Caylee and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Caylee sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Jireh
Girl
Hebrew origin
"the Lord sees"
#1,761 in US
Leana
Girl
Latin origin
"vine, climbing plant"
#2,111 in US
Swayze
Girl
English surname origin
"derived from a surname of uncertain F..."
#2,022 in US
Sianna
Girl
Italian/Hebrew blend origin
"blend of Sienna (city) + Anna (grace)"
#2,000 in US
Naveah
Girl
American creative coinage origin
"heaven reversed, a child from heaven"
#2,124 in US
Arizona
Girl
Basque (alt. theory) origin
"good oak"
#1,840 in US
Elliette
Girl
French origin
"little Eliot"
#2,079 in US
Raleigh
Girl
Old English origin
"red clearing"
#1,918 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Caylee's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caylee
What does the name Caylee mean?
"gentle, beautiful" (from Irish Gaelic). "festive gathering (from céilí)" (from Irish). Caylee is a spelling variant of Kaylee, derived from Irish Gaelic origins including Caoimhe (meaning 'gentle, beautiful, precious') and the Irish 'céilí,' referring to traditional Gaelic social gatherings with music and dance. The spelling 'Caylee' was among several creative variants that emerged in the 1990s as parents sought distinctive spellings while preserving the same warm, sunny pronunciation.
What is the origin of the name Caylee?
Caylee has Irish Gaelic, Irish, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "gentle, beautiful". In Irish, it means "festive gathering (from céilí)".
Is Caylee a boy or girl name?
Caylee is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Caylee?
Caylee is currently ranked #1936 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Caylee?
Common nicknames for Caylee include Cay and Lee.
What are good middle names for Caylee?
Popular middle name pairings include Caylee Marie, Caylee Grace, Caylee Ann, Caylee Rose, Caylee Lynn, Caylee Jo, and Caylee Nicole.
What are good sibling names for Caylee?
Names that pair well with Caylee as siblings include Hayley, Brayden, Jayden, Taylor, Avery, and Cody.
How many syllables does Caylee have?
Caylee has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Caylee a common or rare name?
Caylee is an uncommon name, ranked #1936 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Caylee?
About the Name Caylee
Caylee is a girl name with American and Irish origins . The name means "gentle, beautiful" in Irish Gaelic .
Caylee is currently ranked #1,936 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Caylee has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Caylee include Cay and Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Caylee include Cayla, Caylani, Cayleigh . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Irish Gaelic Names
Browse all names with this origin
C
Names Starting with C
More girl names like Caylee
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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