Kay
Kay: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkeɪ/
Meaning and origin of Kay
- A male given name from Welsh, derived from the surnames, or from a rare medieval given name (as the Sir Kay of Arthurian legend), Welsh Cai, Latinized as Caius, related to the modern male name Kai.
- A female given name, a short form of Katherine and other female names beginning with a "K"; popular as a middle name.
How popular is Kay?
Since 1880, 98,621 girls and 3,924 boys in the U.S. have been named Kay (96% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #70 in 1941. Its highest rank for boys was #448 in 1934. In 2025, 47 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Kay
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Welsh girl names
Sibling name ideas for Kay
Sister and brother names that share Kay's Welsh roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Kay FAQ
What does the name Kay mean?
A male given name from Welsh, derived from the surnames, or from a rare medieval given name (as the Sir Kay of Arthurian legend), Welsh Cai, Latinized as Caius, related to the modern male name Kai. A female given name, a short form of Katherine and other female names beginning with a "K"; popular as a middle name.
What is the origin of the name Kay?
Kay is listed as a name of Welsh origin.
How popular is the name Kay?
Since 1880, 98,621 girls and 3,924 boys in the U.S. have been named Kay (96% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #70 in 1941. Its highest rank for boys was #448 in 1934. In 2025, 47 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Kay a boy or girl name?
Kay is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 98,621 girls and 3,924 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.