Ky
A short form of the female given names Kylie, Kylee, or Kyleigh, used as a nickname and/or as a form that is not overtly feminine.
Every Ky since 1950 — 1,659 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ky
Ky is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,623 in 2025 with 31 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1950, 1,659 American babies have been named Ky — about 91% boys and 9% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1990, when 48 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 Ky stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ky 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 | — | — | 31 | #3,623 |
| 2024 | — | — | 25 | #4,275 |
| 2023 | 5 | #16,497 | 35 | #3,386 |
| 2022 | 8 | #11,765 | 33 | #3,504 |
| 2021 | — | — | 30 | #3,702 |
| 2020 | — | — | 25 | #4,093 |
| 2019 | 5 | #16,895 | 19 | #5,069 |
| 2018 | 5 | #17,003 | 33 | #3,421 |
| 2017 | 7 | #13,462 | 40 | #2,982 |
| 2016 | 6 | #15,370 | 24 | #4,265 |
| 2015 | 5 | #17,928 | 24 | #4,241 |
| 2014 | 6 | #15,676 | 29 | #3,661 |
| 2013 | — | — | 28 | #3,713 |
| 2012 | 8 | #12,866 | 25 | #4,082 |
| 2011 | — | — | 29 | #3,661 |
| 2010 | 5 | #18,573 | 19 | #4,953 |
| 2009 | — | — | 22 | #4,521 |
| 2008 | — | — | 18 | #5,178 |
| 2007 | — | — | 27 | #3,853 |
| 2006 | — | — | 18 | #4,971 |
| 2005 | — | — | 32 | #3,206 |
| 2004 | — | — | 24 | #3,813 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14,881 | 34 | #2,895 |
| 2002 | — | — | 32 | #2,918 |
| 2001 | — | — | 35 | #2,719 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,356 | 27 | #3,190 |
| 1995 | 5 | #14,657 | 21 | #3,262 |
| 1990 | 7 | #10,819 | 41 | #1,894 |
| 1985 | — | — | 22 | #2,397 |
| 1980 | — | — | 16 | #2,905 |
| 1975 | — | — | 18 | #2,407 |
| 1970 | — | — | 17 | #2,253 |
| 1965 | — | — | 9 | #2,897 |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | 5 | #4,150 |
| 1950 | — | — | 5 | #3,959 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ky mean?
A short form of the female given names Kylie, Kylee, or Kyleigh, used as a nickname and/or as a form that is not overtly feminine.
How popular is the name Ky in 2025?
Ky ranked #3,623 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 31 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ky?
1,659 babies have been named Ky in the United States since 1950, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ky most popular?
Ky peaked in 1990, when 48 newborns received the name.
Is Ky a boy or girl name?
Ky is used for both: about 9% of babies named Ky have been girls and 91% boys.
Is the name Ky rising or falling?
Ky is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.