NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Kaily

A feminine name of English origin meaning "slender" or "joyful".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Kaily is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kaily popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2023 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Kaily is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Kaily. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Kaily ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2023, when 3 girls were registered as Kaily.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kaily as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5687

2023

Births in 2023

3

Latest year

Peak year

2023

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Meaning

What does Kaily mean?

The name Kaily is believed to have originated from the Scottish Gaelic language, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old Irish word "cailli," which means "slender" or "graceful." This name was initially used to describe a person's physical appearance, particularly a slender or graceful figure.

In the early days, the name Kaily was primarily found in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands region. It was commonly used among clans and families with Celtic heritage. Over time, the name spread to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to other regions as people migrated and settled in different parts of the world.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kaily can be found in the Scottish historical records from the 15th century. During this period, the name was often spelled as "Caillie" or "Cailye." However, the spelling and pronunciation evolved over time, leading to the modern form of "Kaily."

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kaily. One of the earliest known figures was Kaily MacLeod (1520-1585), a Scottish chieftain and warrior from the Isle of Skye. She played a significant role in defending her clan's lands during the turbulent times of the Scottish clan wars.

Another prominent figure was Kaily Campbell (1650-1718), a Scottish noblewoman and philanthropist. She was known for her charitable work and her efforts in supporting education and healthcare initiatives in her community.

In the 19th century, Kaily Bremner (1810-1892) was a Scottish artist and painter renowned for her landscape and portrait works. Her paintings captured the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and were widely appreciated during her lifetime.

Moving to the 20th century, Kaily Macdonald (1920-2005) was a Scottish politician and activist. She was a strong advocate for women's rights and played a pivotal role in advancing gender equality in Scotland.

More recently, Kaily Forsyth (born 1978) is a Scottish singer-songwriter known for her unique blend of traditional and contemporary folk music. Her songs often explore themes of love, loss, and the beauty of the Scottish landscape.

While the name Kaily may not be as common today as it was in the past, it continues to hold a special place in Scottish heritage and culture. Its origins and historical significance make it a unique and meaningful name that reflects the rich traditions of the Scottish Highlands.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Kaily by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kaily was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #5687 3 1

Related

Names similar to Kaily

FAQ

Kaily: questions and answers

How popular is the name Kaily in the UK right now?

In 2023, Kaily was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Kaily most popular?

The peak year on record was 2023, with 3 babies registered as Kaily in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Kaily?

A feminine name of English origin meaning "slender" or "joyful".

How many people are called Kaily in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Kaily across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.