MallowbyNames

Keighley

KEETH-lee · Of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Keely or a respelling of the English place name Keighley.

2025 rank (girls)
#9,457
Babies named in 2025
10
Peak popularity
2023
2025 frequency
1 in 160,727 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 2021

Rising since 2021, #9,457 for girls today.

Popularity of Keighley since 1989

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

713201990200020102020Most births 2023Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1980s5
1990s67
2000s65
2010s37
2020s39

Meaning & origin

Keighley is a modern English given name that emerged in the late 20th century, first recorded in 1989. It is likely a respelling of the surname and place name Keighley, which originates from a West Yorkshire location meaning 'Cyhha's clearing.' The name remains rare, ranking 9,457 in 2025, with about 1 in every 160,727 baby girls receiving it. Its popularity has been rising since 2021, reaching a peak in 2023. Despite its British place-name roots, Keighley has not been associated with any particular top states in the U.S., reflecting its scattered but growing appeal. The name's creative spelling and soft sound fit contemporary naming trends that favor unique, surname-inspired choices for girls.

Keighley is a modern English name, likely a respelling of the surname or place name Keighley (from West Yorkshire, England). The place name derives from Old English 'Cyhha's leah' (Cyhha's clearing). As a given name, it emerged in the late 20th century, possibly influenced by the similar-sounding name Keely or as a creative variant.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Keigh, Lee

Variants: Keely, Keeley, Keighleigh

Sibling names for Keighley

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

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

K is for Keighley, our favorite little girl.

K is for Keighley…”

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

Make Keighley's book

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Keighley mean?
The meaning of Keighley is uncertain. It is likely a modern respelling of the English place name Keighley, which itself derives from Old English and means 'Cyhha's clearing'.
How popular is the name Keighley?
Keighley is a rare name. In 2025, it ranked 9,457 in the United States, with about 1 in every 160,727 newborn girls given the name. Its popularity has been rising since 2021, peaking in 2023.
Is Keighley a boy or girl name?
Keighley is almost exclusively used as a girl's name. It has been recorded for girls since 1989, with no significant usage for boys.