Kiley is a unique and distinctive given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Ó Ceallaigh," which is believed to have been originally O'Kelly. The meaning behind Kiley is "descendant of Ceallach," with Ceallach being an ancient Irish personal name that means "bright-headed" or "alert."
The use of Kiley as a given name is relatively modern, with its popularity rising in the late 20th century. It has since become more commonly used as a unisex name, although it was originally more prevalent among males.
In terms of history, the O'Kelly clan was a notable Irish family, with their surname being one of the most frequently recorded in Ireland. They were considered to be one of the three "Principal Tribes" of County Galway and held significant lands and titles throughout the region.
While Kiley may not have the same level of historical significance as some other Irish names, it is a charming and unusual choice for parents looking to give their child a distinctive name with an interesting backstory. Its unisex nature also adds to its versatility and appeal.
The name Kiley has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States, with peaks and valleys in its usage. The earliest record available dates back to 1968 when there were 13 births registered with this name.
From then until 1970, the number of births increased significantly, reaching an all-time high of 80 births in 1971. This period appears to have been the most popular time for parents choosing the name Kiley for their children. However, after 1972, there was a steady decline in its popularity.
By 1980, the number of babies named Kiley had fallen significantly, with only 36 births recorded that year. This trend continued throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, with fewer than 30 births annually during these decades.
The years between 1994 to 2005 saw a further decline in popularity for this name, with an average of around 10-15 births per year. However, there was a brief spike in popularity between 2008 and 2009 when the number of births rose to eight each year.
Since then, the name Kiley has continued its downward trend in usage as a baby name in the United States. In recent years, only five or six babies per year have been named Kiley on average, with just five births recorded in both 2016 and 2021. Overall, since records began in 1968 until now, there have been a total of 1097 babies born with the name Kiley in the United States.