Kye

A Scottish Gaelic name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsScottish GaelicDeclining Also a pet name
#1195 254in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from the Germanic languages.

Kye is a boy's and girl's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, from the Gaelic word caol, meaning 'narrow strait' or 'channel,' referring to the narrow body of water between Scotland and the Isle of Skye. It's also used as a short form of Kyle.

The brevity of Kye gives it a bold, minimalist appeal — one syllable that packs considerable personality. It has the clean, Northern European quality of names like Kai and Sven, while its K spelling gives it a slight edge over the common Kyle. Short names that feel complete and confident are perennially appealing.

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Popularity Over Time

Kye climbed 269 spots in the last 20 years — from #1464 to #1195.

0891782673561960198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Kye
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s1,232
2010s2,255
2000s1,083
1990s423
1980s242
1970s109
1960s54
1950s23

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(66 years, 19562024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Kye
YearBirthsRank
2024171#1195
2023240#941
2022277#870
2021260#889
2020284#815
2019288#796
2018310#760
2017310#760
2016356#693
2015211#980
2014173#1105
2013148#1212
2012154#1181
2011157#1151
2010148#1206
2009150#1208
2008122#1398
2007123#1363
2006108#1442
2005127#1250

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Kye as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Kye has also been given to 340 girls in the U.S. since 1960.

#16523
Current rank
340
Total births
2017
Peak year
Compare Kye as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Kye be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Kye is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1195. As a girl's name, it ranks #16523.

Kye has two lives

Kye, the baby name
#1195boys
5,421 babies
Currently viewing
Kye, the pet name
#8607pet name
7 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19562024) · Methodology