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Caley

Girl / Boy name · 31 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Caley: 31 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 4 births in 1986.

Caley is a modern variant of Kayley or Cayley, ultimately deriving from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic *caol*, meaning "slender" or "narrow." While less common than its counterparts, it appears occasionally as a given name across Scotland and beyond. The name also functions as a surname, notably borne by the lesser-known 19th-century British mathematician Arthur Caley. In Scottish popular culture, "Caley" serves as a familiar nickname for Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club, giving the name a distinct Highland sporting association. As a first name, Caley remains relatively rare compared to its relatives, offering a slightly more streamlined, vowel-heavy feel that parents often choose for its modern, unpretentious ring.