Declining since 2019, #2,641 for boys today.
Popularity of Kayne since 1970
Babies named Kayne per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2008, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kayne's real moment was 2020.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 52 |
| 1980s | 88 |
| 1990s | 319 |
| 2000s | 676 |
| 2010s | 856 |
| 2020s | 399 |
Meaning & origin
Kayne first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1970, gradually gaining usage over the decades. Its peak popularity came in 2020, when it reached rank 2,641. Since 2019, however, its trajectory has been falling. In 2025, the name was given to roughly 1 in 34,859 boys, with Texas being its most common state of use. While its exact origin remains debated, it is often connected to the ancient Irish name Cian. Despite some influence from modern culture, Kayne remains a relatively uncommon choice, appealing to parents seeking a short, strong name with Celtic roots.
Kayne is most likely an anglicized spelling of the Irish name Cian, which derives from the Old Irish 'cian' meaning 'ancient' or 'enduring'. It may also be a variant of the surname Kane, which has multiple origins including Irish (Ó Catháin, 'descendant of Cathán') and English (from the Old English 'cana', meaning 'bold'). As a given name, Kayne saw a rise in the late 20th century, partly influenced by popular culture.
Where Kayne is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kayne” around the world
Where Kayne 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
Sibling names for Kayne
Names that share Kayne's style, for a brother or sister.
