Layke

Meaning & origin

Layke is a modern invented name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1998. It reached its peak popularity in 2020, when it was given to the most babies on record, but has since been in decline, with a falling trajectory since 2020. In 2025, the name ranked 6,143 and had a frequency of about 1 in every 122,005 births. While it remains rare nationwide and does not appear among the top names in any state, its sound aligns with the trend of simple, nature-inspired names like Lake and Blake. Layke's unisex appeal and modern spelling make it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name that is both familiar and uncommon.

Layke is a modern English name, first recorded in the United States in 1998. It may be a respelling of Lake, a name derived from the English word for a body of water, or a variant of Blake, an Old English surname meaning 'black' or 'pale'. The name likely emerged as part of the 1990s trend of substituting 'y' for vowels to create unique spellings. Its use has been predominantly in the United States, with limited international adoption.