NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Kaylei

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Kaylee or Kayla.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2005. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Kaylei is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kaylei popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2005 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4798, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 4 births.

This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2002 to 2005. 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.

The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Kaylei. 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 2006 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Kaylei ranked #4798 for girls in England and Wales in 2005, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2003, when 4 girls were registered as Kaylei.
  • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kaylei as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4798

2005

Births in 2005

3

Latest year

Peak year

2003

4 births

Estimated living

10

2026

Meaning

What does Kaylei mean?

The name Kaylei is a relatively modern invention, with its origins likely stemming from the late 20th century. It appears to be a creative spelling variation of the more traditional name Kayley or Kayleigh, which itself is derived from the Irish Gaelic name Cailin, meaning "little girl" or "feminine".

While the name Kaylei does not have a long historical lineage, its roots can be traced back to the Celtic cultures of Ireland and Scotland. The name Cailin was commonly used as a pet name or term of endearment for young girls in these regions, and it eventually evolved into a formal given name.

Interestingly, there are no known records of the name Kaylei being used in ancient texts, religious scriptures, or historical records prior to the modern era. This suggests that it is a relatively recent invention, likely created by parents seeking a unique and creative spelling for their daughter's name.

Despite its relatively recent origins, there are a few notable individuals who have borne the name Kaylei throughout history. One of the earliest recorded instances is Kaylei Carpenter (born 1982), an American actress and model known for her roles in television shows such as "CSI: Miami" and "Days of Our Lives".

Another notable figure is Kaylei Whittingham (born 1988), a British actress and singer who has appeared in various stage productions and television shows. Additionally, Kaylei Tanner (born 1991) is an American professional soccer player who has played for several teams in the National Women's Soccer League.

In the literary realm, Kaylei Fink is an American author and poet who has published several collections of poetry and short stories. Finally, Kaylei Willingham (born 1995) is a Canadian singer and songwriter who has released several successful singles and albums in the pop and R&B genres.

While the name Kaylei may be relatively new, its unique spelling and connection to Celtic roots have undoubtedly contributed to its growing popularity in recent decades. As with many modern names, it offers a sense of individuality and creativity while still maintaining ties to cultural and linguistic traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Kaylei over time

The chart below shows babies named Kaylei registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2005. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Kaylei, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2005, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Kaylei
01234200220032005

Decades

Kaylei by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kaylei 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
2000s #4176 10 3

Related

Names similar to Kaylei

FAQ

Kaylei: questions and answers

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

In 2005, Kaylei was ranked #4798 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Kaylei most popular?

The peak year on record was 2003, with 4 babies registered as Kaylei in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Kaylei?

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Kaylee or Kayla.

How many people are called Kaylei in the UK?

A total of 10 babies have been registered as Kaylei across the 3 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.