MallowbyNames

Kailie

KAY-lee · Of debated origin; possibly a variant of Kaylee, which is often considered a modern coinage combining the name Kay with the popular -lee suffix, or a variant of the Irish name Cailey.

2025 rank (girls)
#13,208
Babies named in 2025
6
Peak popularity
1999
2025 frequency
1 in 267,878 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2004

Declining since 2004, #13,208 for girls today.

Popularity of Kailie since 1984

Babies named Kailie per year in U.S. Social Security records.

2447711990200020102020Most births 1999Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1980s97
1990s413
2000s579
2010s202
2020s33

Meaning & origin

Kailie is a modern feminine name that entered the American naming landscape in the mid-1980s, first recorded in 1984. It belongs to a cluster of -lee ending names that boomed in popularity during the 1990s, with Kailie hitting its peak rank in 1999. Since then, its usage has steadily declined, a trajectory the data shows has been falling since 2004. The name's spelling variations are numerous, reflecting the era's preference for personalized and phonetic renditions. While no top states are associated with Kailie, its parent form Kaylee has been widely adopted across the United States. As a relatively recent coinage, Kailie lacks deep historical roots but carries the sweet, melodic sound that made names like Hailey and Bailey household staples in the late 20th century.

Kailie is a modern feminine name that emerged in the late 20th century, likely as a respelling of Kaylee or related names like Kylie or Caylee. The core element Kay may derive from the Greek name Katherine, meaning 'pure,' or from the Irish name Cailey, meaning 'slender.' The -lee suffix became especially fashionable in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to many variant spellings. Kailie first appeared in U.S. records in 1984 and saw its highest usage in 1999.

Kailie” around the world

Where Kailie lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    5

    babies in 2024

Sources: INSEE (France).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Kay, Kai

Variants: Kaylee, Kailee, Kaili, Kaylie, Cailie

Sibling names for Kailie

Names that share Kailie's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

K is for Kailie, our favorite little girl.

K is for Kailie…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Kailie's letter becomes Kailie's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Kailie's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Kailie mean?
The meaning of Kailie is uncertain. It is generally considered a modern variant of Kaylee, which may be derived from Katherine (meaning 'pure') or the Irish Cailey (meaning 'slender').
How popular is the name Kailie?
Kailie first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1984. As of 2023, it ranks 13,208 in popularity, with approximately 1 in every 267,878 newborns given the name. Its peak popularity was in 1999.
Is Kailie a boy's or girl's name?
Kailie is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.