Declining since 2001, #2,957 for girls today.
Popularity of Kaleigh since 1980
Babies named Kaleigh per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 1,397 |
| 1990s | 5,270 |
| 2000s | 6,286 |
| 2010s | 2,787 |
| 2020s | 504 |
Meaning & origin
Kaleigh is a modern feminine name that emerged in the United States in 1980, a time when creative spellings of traditional names were gaining popularity. It reached its peak rank of 659th in 2001, with 1 in 3,745 girls receiving the name that year. Since then, its usage has steadily declined, dropping to rank 2,957th in 2025 with a 1-in-28,701 incidence. The name has been most common in Southern states such as Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. As a phonetic variant of Caitlin, Kaleigh carries the meaning 'pure', but its appeal lies more in its modern, stylish sound than in historical depth. Despite its downward trajectory, Kaleigh remains a recognizable choice that fits well with other -eigh ending names of its era.
Kaleigh is a modern American respelling of Caitlin, which itself is the Irish form of Catherine. The name ultimately derives from the Greek Aikaterinē, with the meaning 'pure' attached through early Christian association with Saint Catherine. The -eigh spelling became fashionable in the late 20th century, following the popularity of similar variants like Kayleigh and Hayleigh.
Where Kaleigh 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: Kay, Leigh, Kiki
Sibling names for Kaleigh
Names that share Kaleigh's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Kaleigh
Names whose popularity has moved with Kaleigh's over the last 50 years.
