Skye is a unisex given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic word "Sìth", which means fairy or enchantment. The name Skye is also associated with the Isle of Skye, one of the Inner Hebrides islands off the west coast of Scotland. The island's name comes from the Norse word "Skyø", meaning cloud island.
The use of Skye as a given name began to gain popularity in the late 20th century, particularly among English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia. It is often used for both boys and girls, although it tends to be more popular for females. Some famous people with the name Skye include American actress Skye McCole Bartusiak and Australian singer-songwriter Skye Edwards.
Overall, the name Skye has a unique and intriguing origin, drawing from Scottish Gaelic mythology and Norse history. Its meaning of enchantment or fairy adds to its mystical appeal, while its association with the Isle of Skye gives it a sense of place and natural beauty. Despite its recent rise in popularity, Skye remains a relatively uncommon name, making it an attractive choice for parents seeking something distinctive for their child.
The name Skye has seen a varying degree of popularity over the past seven decades in the United States. According to the statistics provided, there were only 7 births with the name Skye in 1957, which can be considered quite uncommon for that time period.
However, the popularity of the name began to increase significantly during the early 1970s. In fact, between 1972 and 1978, there were at least 26 births with the name Skye every year, reaching a peak of 49 births in 1979.
The popularity of the name continued to fluctuate throughout the 1980s and 1990s. There were periods where the number of births with the name Skye decreased significantly, such as in 1983 with only 27 births, but it also had years with a significant increase, like in 1995 with 77 births.
The early 2000s saw another surge in popularity for the name Skye. The number of births peaked at 86 in 2000 and remained relatively high throughout the decade, with an average of around 70 births per year from 2005 to 2010.
More recently, the popularity of the name has continued to fluctuate but remains consistent overall. Between 2014 and 2023, there have been approximately 59 to 69 births with the name Skye every year in the United States.
In total, since 1957, there have been 2780 births with the name Skye in the United States. This data demonstrates how the popularity of the name has evolved over time and provides insight into its current status as a recognizable yet not overly common name choice.