C
Feminine
English
Meaning & History
Caileigh is a feminine given name of English origin, serving as a creative spelling variant of Kayleigh. The name's etymology traces back to the invented name Kaylee, which combines the phonetic elements kay and lee. Like many modern coinages, Kaylee gained popularity in the 1980s and continues to be used in numerous spelling adaptations.
Kayleigh was popularized by the British band Marillion's 1985 song "Kayleigh," which brought attention to the particular spelling. Caileigh, with its variant forms like Caleigh and Caylee, reflects the widespread trend of distinctive phonetic spellings in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States. While Kaylee peaked at rank 26 in the U.S. in 2009, Caileigh and its related forms maintain a modest but enduring presence as unique given names for girls.
Notable historical or famous bearings are scarce for this spelling; Caileigh is predominantly a contemporary name choice that underscores individuality in naming traditions.
- Meaning: Variant of Kayleigh (combination of 'kay' and 'lee')
- Origin: English (modern coinage)
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage regions: English-speaking countries, notably the United States