Kay vs Nilson

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Kay

Girl #3,887 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"pure, clean"

Origin: Greek via Katherine

Cultural Roots

English American Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,887
Total SSA Count
38
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kay →

Nilson

Boy #6,413 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"Son of Nils (Neil); son of the champion"

Origin: Old Norse/Scandinavian

Cultural Roots

Scandinavian Norwegian Swedish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#6,413
Total SSA Count
14
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Nils, Nil, Nick

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Nilson →

Popularity Comparison

Kay Rank #3,887
Nilson Rank #6,413

Kay is more popular, ranked #3887 vs #6413 for Nilson.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kay ___

  • Kay Louise
  • Kay Anne
  • Kay Marie
  • Kay Elizabeth
  • Kay Margaret
  • Kay Elise

Nilson ___

  • Nilson James
  • Nilson Erik
  • Nilson Anders
  • Nilson William
  • Nilson Bjorn
  • Nilson Henrik

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kay

Lee Dale Jo Quinn Brooks

If you choose Nilson

Ingrid Lars Astrid Magnus Sigrid

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kay or Nilson more popular?

Kay is more popular, ranked #3887 compared to Nilson at #6413 in the United States.

What do Kay and Nilson mean?

Kay means "pure, clean" (Greek via Katherine origin). Nilson means "Son of Nils (Neil); son of the champion" (Old Norse/Scandinavian origin).

Are Kay and Nilson boy or girl names?

Kay is primarily a girl name. Nilson is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Kay ← Full profile: Nilson Browse all baby names