The city of Kyle, Texas, made another valiant attempt to break the world record for the largest gathering of people sharing the same name on Saturday. Despite an impressive turnout of 706 Kyles of all ages at a local park in the suburbs of Austin, the town fell short of its goal.
Currently, the record is held by a town in Bosnia, where an astounding 2,325 people named Ivan assembled in 2017, according to Guinness World Records.
This is not the first time the Kyles have challenged the Ivans for the title. In the previous year, the official count at the event, which has come to be known as the Gathering of the Kyles, reached an impressive 1,490 in the rapidly growing Texas city located approximately 37 miles south of Austin, the state capital.
Despite the enthusiasm and determination of the Kyles, the name itself is not particularly common in the United States. The Social Security Administration, which annually tracks the names given to newborn girls and boys in each state, reports that Kyle ranked 416th among male names in 2023. In comparison, the name Ivan held a higher position, coming in at 153rd.
The Gathering of the Kyles has become a unique and lighthearted tradition for the city, bringing together individuals who share not only a name but also a sense of community and camaraderie. The event showcases the spirit of friendly competition and the desire to put the city of Kyle on the map.
Although the record remains elusive, the Kyles of Texas have not lost their determination. The city’s residents and officials remain optimistic that, with each passing year, more Kyles will join the cause, and the record will eventually be theirs.
The Gathering of the Kyles has become a source of pride for the city, highlighting its sense of unity and the willingness of its residents to come together for a common goal, no matter how whimsical it may seem.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.