"slender, fair"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Kaylee
Does Kaylee flow with your last name?
A bright and breezy millennium classic
American
English
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Modern
Gentle
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Kaylee
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Meaning & Origin
"pure (via Kayla from Michaela)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Peak 2000s baby name — may read as dated to some parents
The Story of Kaylee
Kaylee is a modern American creation, blending the phonetic elements of Kayla (from Hebrew Michaela, meaning 'who is like God,' or from Arabic 'Kayla' meaning slender) with the suffix -lee. It can also be seen as a variant of the Irish Caoilfhinn (slender and fair). The name emerged as an independent given name in the United States in the 1980s and became a defining name of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Kaylee peaked in the US around 2008-2012, reaching the top 20. It was part of the great wave of -lee, -leigh, and -ley names that dominated late 20th-century American naming. As this cohort has grown up, the name is now perceived as emblematic of that era, leading to declining usage.
Kaylee is a quintessentially American name, reflecting how US parents have always been creative with phonetic spellings and blended constructions. Characters named Kaylee in Firefly and other TV shows of the 2000s kept it in view during its peak years.
Historical Record
Kaylee first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 139,194 babies have been named Kaylee in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kaylee is past its peak , currently ranked #220 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kaylee Frye from the TV series Firefly is one of sci-fi's most beloved mechanic characters
- The name has over a dozen spelling variants including Kayleigh, Kayli, Caylee, and Kailee
- It peaked at #16 in the US around 2010
Kaylee in Other Languages
French
Kaylee
Spanish
Kaylee
Portuguese
Kaylee
Popularity Over Time
#220
Current Rank
Peaked 2009
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kaylee
K
Kaylee Hartung
Other
1985
American sports and news journalist for ESPN and CNN
K
Kaylee Frye Fictional
Other
Endearing chief mechanic aboard the Serenity in the TV series Firefly, known for her optimism and mechanical genius
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Compare Kaylee with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #220
- Total SSA Count
- 1,392
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kay
Lee
KK
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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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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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
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kaylee
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Kaylee is also used as a boy name, ranked #21357.
View Kaylee as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kaylee
What does the name Kaylee mean?
"slender, fair" (from Irish Gaelic). "pure (via Kayla from Michaela)" (from Hebrew). Kaylee is a modern American creation, blending the phonetic elements of Kayla (from Hebrew Michaela, meaning 'who is like God,' or from Arabic 'Kayla' meaning slender) with the suffix -lee. It can also be seen as a variant of the Irish Caoilfhinn (slender and fair). The name emerged as an independent given name in the United States in the 1980s and became a defining name of the 1990s and early 2000s.
What is the origin of the name Kaylee?
Kaylee has Irish Gaelic, Hebrew, American, English, and Australian origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "slender, fair". In Hebrew, it means "pure (via Kayla from Michaela)".
Is Kaylee a boy or girl name?
Kaylee is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #220. As a boy name, it is ranked #21357. Kaylee is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Kaylee?
Kaylee is currently ranked #220 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kaylee?
Common nicknames for Kaylee include Kay and Lee.
What are good middle names for Kaylee?
Popular middle name pairings include Kaylee Grace, Kaylee Marie, Kaylee Ann, Kaylee Lynn, Kaylee Nicole, Kaylee Elizabeth, and Kaylee Faith.
What are good sibling names for Kaylee?
Names that pair well with Kaylee as siblings include Jaden, Tyler, Hayden, Brayden, Madison, Ashley, Logan, and Dylan.
How many syllables does Kaylee have?
Kaylee has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kaylee a common or rare name?
Kaylee is a popular name, ranked #220 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Kaylee?
About the Name Kaylee
Kaylee is a girl name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "slender, fair" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Kaylee a boy or girl name? Kaylee is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #220 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #21,357. Kaylee is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kaylee is currently ranked #220 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kaylee has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kaylee include Kay, Lee, and KK. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kaylee include Kaylani, Kayla, Kayleigh, Kaylie, Kaylin . 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