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Kaleigh as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Kaleigh

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The baby name Kaleigh is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced KAY-lee (IPA: /ˈkeɪli/).

Kaleigh is English in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: English
Pronunciation: KAY-lee (IPA: /ˈkeɪli/)

What is the meaning of the name Kaleigh ?

The baby name Kaleigh is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced KAY-lee (IPA: /ˈkeɪli/).

Kaleigh is English in Origin.

Kaleigh is a modern feminine given name with intertwined roots. It most commonly derives from Kaylee/Kayleigh, blending Kay - once a short form of Katherine (“pure”) or names starting with K - with Lee (“clearing, meadow”). The -leigh spelling echoes Old English leah, reinforcing the “meadow” nuance. Many also connect Kaleigh to the Scottish Gaelic word cèilidh (pronounced KAY-lee), meaning a festive dance or social gathering, which helped shape the name’s sound and charm.

Usage rose in the late 20th century, especially in the United States and Canada, paralleling the popularity of Kaylee and -leigh endings; in the UK, awareness was boosted by Marillion’s 1985 hit “Kayleigh.” Variant forms include Kaylee, Kayleigh, Kailey, Kaley, Caleigh, Kaylie, Kailee, and Caylee. While spellings vary, pronunciation typically remains KAY-lee. The name conveys a bright, celebratory feel with associations of purity and open meadows.

Kaleigh has the following similar or variant Names

Kaleigh – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2006 #1 834
JP Girls 0 #251 1 6,592
Canada Girls 2020 #276 8 2,919
BD Girls 0 #406 1 8,413
ZA 0 #473 2 14,421
RU Girls 0 #523 1 11,913
PS Girls 0 #547 1 10,981
CR Girls 0 #565 9 11,342
AE Girls 0 #597 1 20,968
IL Girls 0 #645 1 11,648
HK Girls 0 #650 1 16,104
United States Boys 2004 #827 6 7,246
United States Girls 2024 #856 61 8,487
PE Girls 0 #1,010 1 14,861
CO Girls 0 #1,151 2 16,140
MY Boys 0 #1,182 1 25,439
ZA Girls 0 #1,230 7 25,928
MX Girls 0 #1,267 1 17,781

Kaleigh is popular in 15 countries — most recent births per country:

Canada
United States
Scotland, United Kingdom
Ireland
AE

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People also ask about Kaleigh

Kaleigh is predominantly a girl's name.
Kaleigh is a 2 syllable name, pronounced KAY-lee (IPA: /ˈkeɪli/).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Kaylee, Kayleigh, Kailey, Kailee, Kaley and Kaylie.
Across languages, Kaleigh has these equivalents: Kaylee (same name), Kayla (similar sound), Katherine (related root meaning 'pure'), Caoilfhionn / Caolán (Irish Gaelic names with similar elements).
Yes, very popular — Kaleigh ranked #1 in Ireland in 2006, and appears in official birth registries across 4 countries.
Kaleigh ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2006).
Kaleigh's popularity is declining significantly. It moved from #264 in 2010 to #276 in 2020 in Canada.