Meaning & History
Kailey is a modern feminine given name of English origin. It is a spelling variant of Kaylee, which itself combines the popular phonetic elements kay and lee. The name Kaylee and its many spelling variants rose steadily in popularity starting in the 1980s, following the UK release of the British rock group Marillion's song "Kayleigh" in 1985. The specific spelling Kailey peaked in American usage in 2009 at rank 26 and has since declined.
Notable Bearers
Notable people with the name Kailey include Canadian-born Guyanese footballer Kailey Leila and Maltese footballer Kailey Willis. As a surname, it belongs to Indian Punjabi songwriter Maninder Kailey and transgender American writer and activist Matt Kailey (1955–2014).
In fiction, Kailey Hopkins appears as an American Girl character.
Related Variants
Common usage variants of Kailey include Caleigh, Caylee, Kailee, Kaleigh, Kaley, and Kali. In French, the related form Calie is used. These names generally share similar sounds and modern coinage.
Key Facts
- Meaning: A spelling variant of Kaylee, derived from invented phonetic elements
- Origin: English (modern American)
- Type: Given name (feminine)
- Usage: Primarily English-speaking countries, especially the United States
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Kailey