Kyle
/ˈkaɪl/
Kyle derives from a Scottish surname based on Gaelic caol meaning “narrow” or “strait,” referring to a narrow body of water. Kyle is also a district in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The name migrated from surname to given name in the mid-20th century. By the 1970s it was rising fast in the US, helped by its crisp sound and easy spelling.
Kyle peaked at No. 18 in 1990 with an extraordinary 22,710 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 439 with 716 births - a steep drop from its dominant era.
What the name Kyle means
Fictional characters Kyle Broflovski from South Park and Kyle Reese from The Terminator kept the name in pop culture. TV host Kyle Richards adds cross-gender visibility.
One syllable - KILE - is brisk and modern. The hard K and long diphthong give it a punchy, youthful energy.
After dominating the 1980s and 1990s, Kyle now reads as a generational marker. Parents who grew up with multiple Kyles may hesitate to revive it for their own children.
Still, at 716 births in 2024, it maintains a solid top-500 position. Kyle has not vanished - it has simply settled into a quieter era.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Kyle
Kyle - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity