UK name, mostly boys
Kaylan
Feminine name of Irish origin translated as "she who rules".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kaylan is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Kaylan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1162, with 24 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 47 births.
This profile covers 812 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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.
The latest count is about 51% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 810 living people in the UK are called Kaylan. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kaylan ranked #1162 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 24 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 47 boys were registered as Kaylan.
- • Kaylan ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #686 in 2015.
- • About 810 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kaylan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 97.1% of Kaylan registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1162
2024
Births in 2024
24
Latest year
Peak year
2014
47 births
Estimated living
810
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Kaylan
In England and Wales birth records, Kaylan has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 97.1% of registrations are for boys and 2.9% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Kaylan registered for boys
- Ranked #1,162 in 2024
- 24 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2014 (47 births)
Kaylan registered for girls
- Ranked #3,549 in 2011
- 6 girls registered in 2011
- Peak: 2006 (6 births)
Meaning
What does Kaylan mean?
The name Kaylan finds its roots in the Gaelic language, originating from the medieval Irish word "caolán," which means "slender" or "graceful." This name gained prominence during the Middle Ages in Ireland and parts of Scotland.
In ancient Irish folklore, Kaylan was the name of a legendary warrior princess known for her bravery and skill in battle. Her name was often invoked as a symbol of strength and resilience, especially among the Celtic tribes.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Kaylan can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a historical chronicle written by medieval Irish monks in the late 15th century. The annals mention a chieftain named Kaylan mac Néill, who ruled over a territory in present-day County Antrim.
Throughout history, several notable individuals bore the name Kaylan. In the 11th century, Kaylan of Monmouth was a renowned Welsh scholar and historian who wrote extensively about the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
During the 16th century, Kaylan O'Malley was an influential Irish chieftain who led a rebellion against English rule in County Mayo. Her defiance and leadership skills earned her a place in Irish folklore as a symbol of resistance against oppression.
In the 18th century, Kaylan MacLachlan was a Scottish poet and writer known for his works celebrating the natural beauty of the Highlands and the rich cultural heritage of his homeland.
Moving into the 19th century, Kaylan Fitzgerald was an Irish-American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York. He was a vocal advocate for Irish immigrants' rights and played a significant role in shaping the Irish-American community in the United States.
Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Kaylan Murphy, a 20th-century Irish revolutionary who fought alongside Michael Collins during the Irish War of Independence. She was recognized for her courage and unwavering commitment to the cause of Irish freedom.
While the name Kaylan may have its roots in ancient Celtic cultures, it has endured through the ages, carrying with it a sense of strength, grace, and resilience. These historical figures have left an indelible mark on the legacy of this name, ensuring its place in the annals of history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kaylan over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Kaylan in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kaylan, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 24 births in 2024, compared with 47 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kaylan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kaylan 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 | #966 | 157 | 5 |
| 2010s | #775 | 413 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1102 | 191 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1125 | 51 | 4 |
Geography
Where Kaylan is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Kaylan. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Kaylan ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #686 in 2015.
Across the UK
Kaylan in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#686 in 2015
1 years of NRS records, 3 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Kaylan
-
Kaylan Patel
snooker player
snooker player
Related
Names similar to Kaylan
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kaylan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kaylan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Kaylan was ranked #1162 for boys in England and Wales, with 24 births registered.
When was Kaylan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 47 babies registered as Kaylan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kaylan?
Feminine name of Irish origin translated as "she who rules".
How many people are called Kaylan in the UK?
A total of 812 babies have been registered as Kaylan across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 3 more in Scotland.
Where is Kaylan most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Kaylan ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #686 in 2015. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.