Names / Kay
Is Kay a first name or a last name?
Kay is both: a family name in some places and a given name in others. It is mostly a given name in Germany.
How to address someone called Kay
- United States. Kay is used both ways: about 24,337 people had it as a surname in the 2010 census, and 43,552 babies born between 1950 and 2017 were given it as a first name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- United Kingdom. Kay is used both ways: 59% of people from the United Kingdom with this name in our data carry it as a family name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- Germany. Kay is a given name. Hi Kay on first-name terms; formally, Mr. or Ms. goes with the family name, not with Kay.
- Canada. Kay is used both ways: 40% of people from Canada with this name in our data carry it as a family name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
Not sure which part of a full name is which? Check the full name with the country where the person is based.
Kay by country
People recorded in Wikidata who carry Kay as a family name or as a given name, by country of citizenship (792 in total).
| Country | As family name | As given name | Family name share |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 92 | 221 | 29% |
| United Kingdom | 94 | 64 | 59% |
| Germany | 5 | 84 | 6% |
| Canada | 20 | 30 | 40% |
| Australia | 18 | 22 | 45% |
| New Zealand | 9 | 23 | 28% |
| Netherlands | 1 | 14 | 7% |
| Switzerland | 1 | 8 | 11% |
| Ireland | 3 | 4 | 43% |
| Norway | 0 | 7 | 0% |
Wikidata covers notable people, so counts show how the name is used, not how many people carry it.
Kay in the United States
- As a surname: about 24,337 people in the 2010 census, rank 1,467 among US surnames.
- As a first name: 43,552 babies born between 1950 and 2017, 98% of them girls.
Kay as a given name: men or women?
About 64% of people with Kay as a given name in Wikidata are women, and 98% of US babies given the name. This describes the name, not any one person: it is not a safe basis for Mr. or Ms., and the full name without a title is always polite.
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