Holding steady.
Popularity of Kahil since 1977
Babies named Kahil per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1996, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kahil's real moment was 2024.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 17 |
| 1980s | 19 |
| 1990s | 25 |
| 2000s | 18 |
| 2010s | 24 |
| 2020s | 16 |
Meaning & origin
Kahil is a modern respelling of the Arabic name Khalil, which has deep roots in Islamic tradition. While Khalil has been a staple in Muslim communities for centuries, the variant Kahil is a more recent invention, first recorded in the United States in 1977. Its usage remains uncommon, never having reached the top 1,000 names. The name's peak popularity occurred in 2024, suggesting a gradual increase in interest. Despite its rarity, Kahil's trajectory indicates stability, with no dramatic spikes or declines. The name is almost exclusively given to boys, aligning with its Arabic origin. Kahil is a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with cultural depth and a modern flair.
Kahil is likely a spelling variant of the Arabic name Khalil (خليل), which derives from the root kh-l-l meaning 'to befriend' or 'to form a close bond.' Khalil appears in the Quran and is used widely across the Muslim world. The variant Kahil is a modern respelling, possibly influenced by phonetic preferences in English-speaking countries.
“Kahil” around the world
Where Kahil lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
145
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kal, K
Sibling names for Kahil
Names that share Kahil's style, for a brother or sister.
