Will my child share the name Kay with classmates?

Unlikely. With around 3 UK babies named Kay per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Kay in their class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.

Is Kay becoming more or less popular in the UK?

Kay is declining: down 1,225 places since 2019, to #5,927 in 2025. It peaked at #448 in 1996.

Is Kay a good choice for a distinctive name?

Kay is a distinctive choice sitting outside the mainstream UK top names. Parents choosing less common names often find their children appreciate the individuality as they grow up, rarely needing to add an initial to distinguish themselves.

Is Kay a popular baby name in the United States?

Kay does not appear in the US top 1,000 baby names, making it a distinctively British choice.

👦 Boy's name 💎 Relatively Unique UK #4702

Kay

🗳️ Add Kay to a family shortlist

Kay is a distinctive choice, ranked #4702 in 2019. Your child is likely to be the only Kay in their class.

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UK Rank 2019

#4702

About the Name Kay

Kay is climbing rapidly up the charts, having climbed 792 places in just five years. Its best recorded rank was #448 in 1996 — and current momentum suggests it could challenge that mark again. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.

Kay is rare in the UK, so your child is very likely to be the only Kay in their class.