boys' name · peaked 1990

Kyle

From several places in Scotland and Northern Ireland, derived from Gaelic caol (“narrows”).

Every Kyle since 1881 — 494,713 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
3.757.511.251518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#509
among boys
Babies in 2025
611
named Kyle
Peak year
1990
22,947 babies
All-time total
494,713
since 1881

The story of Kyle

Kyle is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #509 in 2025 with 594 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1881, 494,713 American babies have been named Kyle. Its peak came in 1990, when 22,947 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kyle stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Kyle year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 17 #6,701 594 #509
2024 32 #4,435 721 #439
2023 30 #4,615 758 #417
2022 24 #5,405 808 #394
2021 33 #4,288 899 #363
2020 46 #3,366 1,056 #313
2019 43 #3,588 1,386 #262
2018 65 #2,667 1,682 #223
2017 48 #3,333 1,842 #210
2016 43 #3,625 2,039 #199
2015 60 #2,911 2,394 #174
2014 68 #2,602 2,388 #179
2013 58 #2,923 2,589 #155
2012 52 #3,196 2,968 #127
2011 58 #2,976 3,269 #120
2010 33 #4,453 3,581 #107
2009 34 #4,427 4,180 #99
2008 30 #4,961 4,705 #97
2007 42 #3,822 5,355 #86
2006 47 #3,447 6,150 #81
2005 38 #3,845 6,688 #69
2004 74 #2,333 7,826 #55
2003 61 #2,624 8,651 #53
2002 45 #3,178 10,064 #40
2001 56 #2,680 10,568 #40
2000 53 #2,763 11,969 #37
1995 124 #1,332 16,761 #24
1990 237 #829 22,710 #18
1985 303 #620 16,523 #27
1980 173 #888 5,775 #57
1975 89 #1,259 2,833 #88
1970 91 #1,231 2,763 #120
1965 90 #1,115 1,169 #210
1960 223 #682 1,263 #220
1955 134 #839 404 #360
1950 102 #879 239 #431
1945 5 #4,908 81 #670
1940 94 #614
1935 114 #541
1930 89 #660
1925 84 #706
1920 85 #702
1915 5 #4,619 65 #745
1910 15 #803
1905 9 #880
1900 7 #1,113
1895 7 #937
1890 5 #1,086
1885
1880

Famous people named Kyle

  1. Kyle MacLachlan Actor · b. 1959
  2. Kyle Chandler Actor · b. 1965
  3. Kyle Gass Actor · b. 1960
  4. Kyle Eastwood Musician · b. 1968
  5. Kyle Richards Actor · b. 1969

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Kyle mean?

From several places in Scotland and Northern Ireland, derived from Gaelic caol (“narrows”).

How popular is the name Kyle in 2025?

Kyle ranked #509 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 594 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Kyle?

494,713 babies have been named Kyle in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Kyle most popular?

Kyle peaked in 1990, when 22,947 newborns received the name.

Is Kyle a boy or girl name?

Kyle is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.

Is the name Kyle rising or falling?

Kyle is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Kyle?

Well-known people named Kyle include Kyle MacLachlan (actor), Kyle Chandler (actor), Kyle Gass (actor).

Names like Kyle

Compare Kyle with similar names →