Kay

Updated: October 13, 2023 by Stephanie Graham

Kay is a name that feels deeply connected to the past. This popular 1940s name is experiencing a resurgence in popularity among those looking for classic names. Read on to learn more about this traditional name.

Meaning and Origin of the name Kay:

Kay is a girl's name of possibly Greek, Latin, and Welsh origins meaning “pure,” “rejoice,” or “wharf.”

The baby name Kay has a few possible origins with different meanings. Kay is a nickname for Katherine. Katherine is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, which was influenced by the Greek word katharos (meaning “pure”). Kay is also a stand-alone name that may have come from the Latin name Cai, which is a diminutive of the Roman masculine name Caius (meaning “rejoice”). The name Kay may also come from the Old Breton word Cai, which is loosely translated as “wharf.”

Symbolism of the name Kay:

Kay generally symbolizes a wandering spirit or a general sense of wonder; it typically symbolizes hopes for a child with a great imagination.

Nicknames for the name Kay:

Kay is a very short name that doesn't have many options for nicknames. We put together the list below, albeit a short list, to help you find a cute nickname for Kay. There are only two options, unfortunately.

Kay-kay
Kiki

Style of the name Kay:

Classic

Gender of the name Kay:

Kay is typically a girl's name, but it has also been infrequently used as a boy's name.

Pronunciation of the name Kay:

KAY

Number of syllables in the name Kay:

One

Emotion evoked from the name Kay:

The name Kay typically evokes emotions of happiness or delight, with feelings of protectiveness and care generally close behind.

Alternative spellings for the name Kay:

Kaye
Kaiye
Kae

Popularity of the name Kay:

According to the Social Security Administration, the name Kay last ranked at the 983rd position in the top 1000 most popular girls' names of 1984. The name was most popular in 1941, at which point it was the 70th most popular name.