"from céilí, traditional Irish dance gathering"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Cayleigh
Does Cayleigh flow with your last name?
A breezy Irish name evoking folk dances and fair beauty
Irish
Scottish
American
English
Playful
Modern
Gentle
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Cayleigh
Cayleigh is a modern spelling variant of Kayleigh, itself derived from the Irish Gaelic 'Caoilfhinn' (pronounced roughly 'kweel-in') meaning slim and fair, or from the Gaelic 'céilí' — a traditional Irish/Scottish social dance gathering. The '-leigh' spelling follows the American trend of using the Old English feminine suffix '-leigh' (originally meaning meadow or clearing) to create distinctly feminine-looking names. Kayleigh became widely known after the 1985 hit song 'Kayleigh' by the British rock band Marillion.
Kayleigh and its variants (Kaylee, Kaylie, Cayleigh, Kayleigh) surged in the late 1990s and 2000s as part of the '-lee/-leigh' name boom. Cayleigh distinguishes itself with a Celtic-looking 'C' beginning while maintaining the same breezy sound.
The céilí (pronounced KAY-lee) is one of Ireland's most beloved cultural traditions — a communal dance gathering that has been central to Irish social life for centuries. A child named Cayleigh carries the joyful, communal spirit of Irish folk dancing.
Historical Record
Cayleigh first appeared in US Social Security records in 1986.
Over 2,270 babies have been named Cayleigh in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cayleigh is past its peak , currently ranked #4,736 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The céilí (kay-lee) is a traditional Irish and Scottish communal dance, and giving the name to a girl evokes centuries of joyful folk tradition
- The song 'Kayleigh' by Marillion (1985) reached #2 in the UK charts and made the spelling Kayleigh internationally recognized
- The '-leigh' spelling trend has produced dozens of American-style feminine variants: Hayleigh, Ryleigh, Bayleigh, Cayleigh
Cayleigh in Other Languages
English
Kayleigh/Cayleigh
Irish Gaelic
Caoilfhinn
Scottish Gaelic
Caileigh
Popularity Over Time
#4,736
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2009
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cayleigh
K
Kayleigh McEnany
Politician
1988
American political commentator and former White House Press Secretary under President Donald Trump
K
Kayleigh (Marillion song)
Musician
The 1985 UK top-5 hit by British rock band Marillion that made the Kayleigh/Cayleigh name internationally recognized
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Compare Cayleigh with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,736
- Total SSA Count
- 29
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Scottish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cay
Lee
Kay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cayleigh
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Greek/Irish origin
"bright, shining light"
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Old English origin
"dweller near the ash grove"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cayleigh
What does the name Cayleigh mean?
"from céilí, traditional Irish dance gathering" (from Irish Gaelic). Cayleigh is a modern spelling variant of Kayleigh, itself derived from the Irish Gaelic 'Caoilfhinn' (pronounced roughly 'kweel-in') meaning slim and fair, or from the Gaelic 'céilí' — a traditional Irish/Scottish social dance gathering. The '-leigh' spelling follows the American trend of using the Old English feminine suffix '-leigh' (originally meaning meadow or clearing) to create distinctly feminine-looking names. Kayleigh became widely known after the 1985 hit song 'Kayleigh' by the British rock band Marillion.
What is the origin of the name Cayleigh?
Cayleigh has Irish Gaelic, Irish, Scottish, American, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "from céilí, traditional Irish dance gathering".
Is Cayleigh a boy or girl name?
Cayleigh is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Cayleigh?
Cayleigh is currently ranked #4736 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cayleigh?
Common nicknames for Cayleigh include Cay, Lee, and Kay.
What are good middle names for Cayleigh?
Popular middle name pairings include Cayleigh Rose, Cayleigh Grace, Cayleigh Ann, Cayleigh Marie, Cayleigh Lynn, Cayleigh Jane, and Cayleigh Faith.
What are good sibling names for Cayleigh?
Names that pair well with Cayleigh as siblings include Ryleigh, Brynlee, Finley, Connor, Finn, and Declan.
How many syllables does Cayleigh have?
Cayleigh has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cayleigh a common or rare name?
Cayleigh is an uncommon name, ranked #4736 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Cayleigh?
About the Name Cayleigh
Cayleigh is a girl name with Irish, Scottish, American, and English origins . The name means "from céilí, traditional Irish dance gathering" in Irish Gaelic .
Cayleigh is currently ranked #4,736 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cayleigh has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cayleigh include Cay, Lee, and Kay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cayleigh include Caylee, Cayla, Caylani . 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