Rising since 1999, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Kayo since 1926
Babies named Kayo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 94 |
| 2010s | 102 |
| 2020s | 68 |
Meaning & origin
Kayo is a name of unclear derivation, first recorded in U.S. data in 1926. It has never ranked among the top names, but its popularity has been rising since 1999, with a peak in 2009. As of 2025, it ranks 7,194th, given to approximately 1 in 155,280 newborns. The name may be a modern English variant of Kay or draw from Japanese origins, though its use in the U.S. is predominantly as a short form. Kayo has not been concentrated in any particular state, reflecting its widespread but uncommon use. Its gradual trajectory suggests a growing but still niche appeal.
Kayo is a name of uncertain origin, likely a modern coinage or a variant of Kay. In Japanese, Kayo can mean 'generation' (ka) and 'good' (yo) or be a feminine name meaning 'beautiful generation,' but its use outside Japan is predominantly a short form or respelling of Kay or a diminutive of names like Kayla. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1926 and has seen sporadic use, with a gradual rise in popularity since 1999.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kay
Sibling names for Kayo
Names that share Kayo's style, for a brother or sister.
