What does Kirsty mean?
Kirsty is a Scottish form of Christine, “follower of Christ.”
What does Skye mean?
Skye takes its name from the Isle of Skye, and echoes the English word “sky.”
Kirsty vs Skye
Which is more popular?
Skye is more popular than Kirsty today: about 569 US babies were given the name Skye in 2025, compared with 0 named Kirsty.
| Kirsty | Skye | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Follower of Christ | Isle of Skye; sky |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KEER-stee | SKY |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1961 | 1952 |
| Peak year | 1991 (99) | 2014 (887) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 569 |
| Trend | Vintage | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Kirsty
Skye
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Kirsty | Skye |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 0 | 4,061 |
| 2010s | 10 | 7,453 |
| 2000s | 81 | 6,708 |
| 1990s | 508 | 3,852 |
| 1980s | 179 | 1,440 |
| 1970s | 130 | 635 |
| 1960s | 37 | 56 |
| 1950s | 0 | 57 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Kirsty or Skye more popular?
Skye is more popular than Kirsty today: about 569 US babies were given the name Skye in 2025, compared with 0 named Kirsty.
What is the difference between Kirsty and Skye?
Kirsty means Follower of Christ (Scottish origin), while Skye means Isle of Skye; sky (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Kirsty or Skye?
In US records, Kirsty first appears in 1961 and Skye in 1952, so Skye has the longer recorded history.