Kyle
Meaning of Kyle
Kyle traces back to the Scottish surname for the district of Kyle in Ayrshire, ultimately derived from the Gaelic word “caol,” meaning “narrows” or “strait,” a geographical term that quietly hints at focus and direction rather than flourish. In the United States the name lingered in relative obscurity until the mid-20th century, then accelerated sharply—climbing from outside the Top 300 in the 1950s to a peak rank of 18 in 1990—before beginning a measured retreat to today’s mid-400s. That statistical arc gives Kyle the profile of a former chart-topper now settling into familiar, unpretentious territory. Cultural references range from the resourceful Kyle Reese of the Terminator franchise to the sardonic Kyle Broflovski of South Park, lending the name an undercurrent of action and wit without tipping into sensationalism. Pronounced simply as KY-ul (/kaɪl/), it offers a brisk, one-syllable efficiency that appeals to parents who favor concise, recognizably Anglo-American choices over ornamental forms.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as KY-ul (/kaɪl/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Kyle
| Kyle Larson is an American racing driver who competes full time in the NASCAR Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports and part time in the Xfinity, Truck, and IndyCar Series. |
| Kyle Lowry is an American point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, a six time All Star and 2019 champion who helped lead the Toronto Raptors to their first title and won 2016 Olympic gold. |
| Kyle Walker is an English right back for Burnley and England, renowned for his speed and widely regarded as one of the best of his generation. |
| Kyle Steven Edmund is a British former professional tennis player who reached a career-high world No. 14, was the top-ranked British man from March 2018 to October 2019, and retired in August 2025. |
| Kyle Busch is an American NASCAR driver who drives the number 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, is a two time Cup champion, and holds the all time combined wins record across the top three NASCAR series. |
| Kyle Van Noy is an American linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens who won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots after starting with the Detroit Lions and also played for the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers, following a standout career at BYU. |
| Kyle Frederick Snyder is an American freestyle wrestler at 97 kilograms and a former folkstyle wrestler. |
| Kyle Orton is an American former quarterback who played college football at Purdue, was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2005, started most of his rookie season after Rex Grossman was injured, later regained the job in 2008, and was traded to the Denver Broncos. |
| Kyle Chandler is an American actor best known for playing Eric Taylor on the NBC series Friday Night Lights and winning the 2011 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. |
| Kyle Kulinski is an American left wing political commentator who hosts The Kyle Kulinski Show on his Secular Talk channel, co hosts Krystal Kyle and Friends, and co founded the progressive group Justice Democrats. |
| Kyle Kuzma is an American NBA forward who starred at Utah, was a 2017 first round pick and 2018 All Rookie First Team honoree, won a 2020 Lakers title, was traded to the Wizards in 2021, and now plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. |
| English full back Kyle Leonardus Walker-Peters plays for West Ham United in the Premier League. |
| Kyle Naughton is an English footballer who most recently played right back for Swansea City in the EFL Championship. |
| Kyle Beckerman is an American former professional soccer midfielder who spent 21 MLS seasons, captained Real Salt Lake to the 2009 title, and earned 58 caps for the United States. |
| Kyle Guy is an American former pro basketball player and Virginia NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player who now serves as an assistant coach at Nevada after being Indiana Mr Basketball and a McDonalds All American in high school. |
