Kaylee

Kaylee is a feminine given name widely used in English-speaking countries. It is a modern name, often created by combining the short form Kay or the surname-root Kay with the suffix -lee or -leigh, and it has become detached from any single ancestral meaning. The name also exists as part of a family of similarly formed names such as Kayleigh, Kailey, Kailee, and Kaylee itself—illustrating a pattern of phonetic variation common in contemporary naming practice. Etymology is not tied to a historic lineage; rather, Kaylee reflects modern preferences for soft, melodic sounds.

Kaylee gained popularity in the United States and other English-speaking regions during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, with noticeable usage rising through the 1990s and 2000s in various name rankings. It is almost exclusively used for girls, though rare instances of gender variation exist.

In popular culture, Kaylee appears in fiction; for example, Kaylee Frye is a central character—a cheerful mechanic—in the science-fiction series Firefly and its film Serenity. The name has been adopted by various characters in books, television, and film, contributing to its recognition.

Notable people named Kaylee are relatively common in the arts, sports, and public life, reflecting its broad usage in contemporary naming. See also related forms such as Kayleigh and Kayla.