Declining since 1990, #508 for boys today.
Popularity of Kyle since 1881
Babies named Kyle per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 19 |
| 1890s | 55 |
| 1900s | 79 |
| 1910s | 449 |
| 1920s | 814 |
| 1930s | 901 |
| 1940s | 1,155 |
| 1950s | 5,789 |
| 1960s | 16,579 |
| 1970s | 32,645 |
| 1980s | 141,947 |
| 1990s | 180,218 |
| 2000s | 76,156 |
| 2010s | 24,138 |
| 2020s | 4,836 |
Meaning & origin
Kyle is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'caol', meaning 'narrow' or 'strait'. It began as a surname before transitioning into a given name, with its first recorded use as a first name in the United States in 1881. The name experienced a dramatic rise in popularity during the latter half of the 20th century, reaching its peak in 1990, when it was a top choice for boys. Since then, its usage has been falling, and as of 2025, it ranks 508th, with approximately 1 in 2,876 baby boys receiving the name. This decline reflects a broader shift away from the names that dominated the 1980s and 1990s. Despite its diminished frequency, Kyle remains a recognizable and straightforward name. It has been particularly prevalent in states like New York, Arkansas, and Indiana, where it has consistently appeared in birth records. The name's trajectory from a geographic surname to a popular given name illustrates how linguistic heritage can shape modern naming practices.
Kyle originated as a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic 'caol', meaning 'narrow' or 'strait', often referring to a narrow channel of water. It was used as a given name primarily from the mid-20th century, gaining popularity in English-speaking countries, especially the United States. The name saw a sharp rise in usage during the 1970s and 1980s, likely influenced by cultural figures and a trend toward short, strong-sounding names.
Where Kyle is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kyle” around the world
Where Kyle lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
105
babies in 2024
Ireland
44
babies in 2025
New Zealand
21
babies in 2025
Quebec
24
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ky
Sibling names for Kyle
Names that share Kyle's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Megan, Erin, Shannon, Brianna, Kelsey, Ashlyn, Brittany, Jenna, Kendra, Krista, Krystal, Lacey, Lauryn, Lindsay, Taryn, Andra, Ashleigh, Breanne, Brie, Britney, Brittani, Brittni, Brittnie, Carlee, Cori, Dayla, Dayna, Haylee, Jaimee, Jayme, Jenelle, Kacy, Kaila, Kailyn, Kaleah, Kaleigh, Kandace, Kandice, Karey, Karlee, Karli, Kayle, Kaylen, Kelsie, Kendal, Kierra, Kimber, Kinley, Kourtney, Kyla, Kylah, Kyndall, Leigh, Lyndsey, Lynsey, Tera, Tori, Trina, Trista, Tyla, Amberlynn, Blayke, Brieanna, Briona, Britani, Britnee, Cailee, Candra, Chanell, Chasidy, Denae, Elexis, Jaymee, Jaymie, Kacee, Kailah, Kailie, Kandra, Karah, Karalyn, Karlyn, Katrena, Kaylene, Keasia, Kelsy, Kenda, Keyli, Kierstin, Kierstyn, Kindra, Korie, Korin, Krysten, Kylene, Kyley, Kyli, Kym, Kyndra, Kyrstin, Lindsy, Lyndsay, Makenzy, Meghann, Mekayla, Mikaila, Randa, Rayla, Rayleen, Renley, Shaylyn, Stacee, Trena, Tylee, Allexis, Allyse, Aricka, Ashlye, Aslyn, Berkleigh, Brayla, Britnie, Cammi, Caylyn, Chanae, Channell, Chanta, Chayla, Chera, Chyla, Corynn, Cylie, Dalana, Darrielle, Dera, Devanie, Jadalyn, Jaelene, Jalee, Jamielynn, Kaelah, Kaeley, Kalley, Kaly, Kammie, Kammy, Kanyla, Karee, Karra, Karyssa, Katee, Katera, Kayleah, Kealy, Kedra, Keela, Keirstin, Kellsie, Kensey, Kerra, Kevina, Khyla, Khylee, Kierston, Kimbley, Kimm, Klynn, Koree, Korri, Kortni, Kortnie, Kourtnie, Krystie, Kurstin, Kyann, Kyera, Kyleah, Kylei, Kymber, Kymberlee, Lesleigh, Lessly, Linsay, Lynsie, Marlayna, Mayci, Maygan, Mckynlee, Megen, Mikelle, Mykia, Nesha, Raeghan, Raeleen, Raylie, Shaela, Shalane, Shalee, Shaneice, Talley, Tarina, Tashay, Taylore, Telisa, Teylor, Tira, Trisa, Tykia, Tyrah, Aigner, Ajayla, Alnisa, Bayle, Baylea, Brecklynn, Bri, Brinly, Brionne, Brittiney, Brystal, Cabrina, Casee, Charnice, Crystol, Cydne, Cyla, Cyleigh, Derrica, Donae, Dyna, Genae, Jackee, Jamilee, Jasey, Jaycelyn, Jayelle, Jaylean, Jaysha, Jennae, Kaile, Kaitland, Kalynne, Karielle, Karlea, Karlye, Karrisa, Karrissa, Kassady, Katlynne, Kaylina, Keelee, Keiri, Kelee, Kendahl, Kendelle, Kendle, Kenitra, Keoshia, Keslie, Kevia, Keyly, Kieanna, Kieley, Kimra, Kindell, Kirbi, Kirbie, Kleigh, Koni, Krisa, Kristell, Kyanne, Kylea, Kylia, Kyllie, Larna, Lindsee, Lorrin, Makita, Mayley, Myleen, Mylei, Niketa, Nykole, Rayley, Rickelle, Samaiyah, Scottlynn, Shallon, Shaynna, Shyasia, Tashia, Teila, Temekia, Tene, Tiphany, Tylene, Tyrianna, Tyshae, Tyshay, Yanique, Daveigh, Kashara, Mckinzey, Shaneil, Shavonn, Amberlea, Aylssa, Bassy, Blayre, Brettany, Britaney, Britnay, Brittanni, Brittanya, Brittnei, Brytney, Caileen, Charae, Chastelyn, Chellsea, Chelsye, Chenae, Chrishelle, Courtnei, Debany, Desia, Dnyla, Dyonna, Jacole, Jaena, Jannae, Jenisa, Jetaun, Jillyan, Jinna, Joelee, Joselynne, Jyla, Kahlie, Kalyse, Kamaryn, Kambrey, Kandiss, Kare, Karista, Karle, Karne, Karynn, Kaylenn, Kayline, Kaysea, Keidra, Kellis, Kelty, Kenetra, Kenise, Kenlyn, Keta, Keyle, Khrystal, Kielee, Kiffany, Kimbria, Kimley, Kimmi, Kimyata, Kinzi, Kiondra, Klyn, Korryn, Korynne, Kourtnei, Kristalynn, Kyandra, Kyelle, Kyilee, Kylena, Lakyla, Lindzie, Lynsay, Makinna, Makylie, Malaisha, Mallisa, Marcayla, Meygan, Mykelle, Nicloe, Nychelle, Rayni, Reanne, Saysha, Shabrea, Shaeleigh, Shaely, Shalae, Shalie, Shantaya, Shatarra, Shawneen, Shemia, Sherlyne, Takeyla, Tifini, Tonae, Trana, Trinna, Twala, Tyerra, Tyshea
Brothers: Ryan, Tyler, Brandon, Derek, Kevin, Branden, Brent, Brett, Hayden, Lance, Aric, Braiden, Brandan, Brenton, Bryant, Camren, Cyle, Darien, Denzel, Garren, Jarett, Kelby, Kody, Korbin, Korey, Kraig, Kylan, Layne, Tevin, Tyre, Blayne, Brandin, Breckin, Camrin, Darrian, Jarad, Kedrick, Kendel, Kenrick, Khristian, Klay, Klayton, Kollin, Kylar, Kylon, Laird, Markel, Race, Taren, Terrill, Tyrel, Tyrik, Tywan, Arick, Bayne, Braedan, Cheyne, Colbey, Collyn, Dailen, Damean, Dawon, Dayron, Deveon, Erek, Gerren, Gerrick, Jahvon, Jarrid, Jerid, Jerin, Jevin, Kadarius, Kaidin, Katrell, Kayde, Keenen, Keithen, Keivon, Kemon, Kenderick, Kile, Kimble, Koran, Kymari, Kyre, Kyshawn, Larenz, Marque, Prestyn, Rasean, Rylo, Syler, Tarren, Trayon, Tyon, Brayant, Brayn, Breion, Bricen, Cammeron, Chaddrick, Court, Daaron, Darelle, Darreon, Dejean, Derryck, Desmin, Jaquil, Jaree, Jayston, Jhase, Kallin, Kayron, Kaysan, Keil, Kennen, Keny, Kervens, Klye, Kshawn, Kurk, Kyel, Mikyle, Obryan, Rece, Shawndale, Terek, Travius, Tryone, Tyan, Diron, Kristion, Bijon, Braedin, Cejay, Coden, Cotey, Cray, Criag, Dahlton, Dawaun, Dejay, Dylyn, Eryck, Garek, Glenden, Jadian, Jakylan, Jonavon, Jontay, Jyron, Kahle, Kalvyn, Karell, Karnell, Kashe, Keland, Kelvyn, Kendryck, Kenzel, Khyron, Kie, Kobyn, Kolyn, Kyier, Makyle, Mckinnon, Myshawn, Nyel, Rane, Rishawn, Sedale, Sherrick, Sladen, Terel, Terik, Tykel, Tyleek, Tyrann, Tyreak, Tyri
Names like Kyle
Names whose popularity has moved with Kyle's over the last 50 years.
