Declining since 2000, #3,459 for girls today.
Popularity of Caleigh since 1984
Babies named Caleigh per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 150 |
| 1990s | 1,248 |
| 2000s | 2,408 |
| 2010s | 1,548 |
| 2020s | 414 |
Meaning & origin
Caleigh entered the U.S. naming pool in 1984, reflecting the late 20th-century trend of respelling popular names to create distinctive variants. It reached its peak rank in 1999, capturing the height of the Kaylee name family's popularity, which included spellings like Kayleigh and Kailey. Since 2000, its usage has steadily declined, as the broader -lee/-leigh suffix trend wanes. However, Caleigh remains a familiar choice, particularly in Texas, where it saw notable use. While its rank of 3,459 in 2025 may seem modest, its occurrence in one in 36,529 births suggests it is still recognized as a feminine name with Irish roots and a modern feel.
Caleigh is a phonetic variant of Kaylee, which emerged in the late 20th century as part of the trend of creating names ending in -lee or -leigh. The name draws from the Irish surname Caollaidhe, derived from the Gaelic caol meaning 'slender'. It also shares a connection with the Irish name Cáel, a masculine name meaning 'slender'. The spelling Caleigh, with its 'lei' element, became popular in the 1990s as parents sought unique variations of the already popular Kaylee.
Where Caleigh is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cale, Lee, Cal
Sibling names for Caleigh
Names that share Caleigh's style, for a brother or sister.
