Declining since 1998, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Kalee since 1962
Babies named Kalee per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 32 |
| 1970s | 99 |
| 1980s | 633 |
| 1990s | 1,609 |
| 2000s | 1,059 |
| 2010s | 368 |
| 2020s | 83 |
Meaning & origin
Kalee is a modern American respelling of Kaylee, a name that emerged in the mid-20th century and saw a steady rise through the 1990s. First recorded in 1962, it peaked in popularity in 1999 before entering a long decline. By 2025, the name ranked 10,917th, with a frequency of roughly 1 in 200,908 births. Its trajectory has been falling since 1998, reflecting a broader shift away from -ee suffixed names. While Kalee has no strong regional ties, it fits a pattern of invented names that sound familiar yet distinct, appealing to parents seeking a unique twist on a familiar sound.
Kalee is a phonetic respelling of Kaylee, a modern coinage that gained popularity in the late 20th century. Kaylee itself is often considered a blend of the name Kay and the popular -lee suffix, or a diminutive of Katherine. The name has no deep historical root and is primarily an American invention from the 1960s onward.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kay, Lee, Kae
Sibling names for Kalee
Names that share Kalee's style, for a brother or sister.
