Kelly: Meaning, Origin, and Popularity
A bright-headed warrior with Irish spirit.
Kelly as a Girl Name
- Origin
- English
- Syllables
- 2
- Current rank
- #748
- Peak
- #10 in 1977
Trend: Falling, easing off its high over the latest decade.
Popularity over time
Lower rank = more popular (rank 1 is the most popular name)
What Kelly Means
Kelly is a girl name of English origin. A bright-headed warrior with Irish spirit.
How Popular Kelly Is
Kelly currently ranks #748 among girl names in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #10 in 1977. It has been easing off its high.
Good to Know About Kelly
- Kelly was a top 10 name in the United States, peaking at #10 in 1977.
- Once a top name, Kelly has become less common in recent decades, giving it a distinctive vintage appeal.
- Kelly has been a top 100 name across 163+ years of American history.
- Kelly is a name from the English-speaking tradition.
Kelly as a Unisex Name
- Origin
- Irish
- Syllables
- 2
- Current rank
- #1536
- Peak
- #97 in 1968
Trend: Steady, holding a similar rank across the latest decade.
Popularity over time
Lower rank = more popular (rank 1 is the most popular name)
What Kelly Means
Kelly is a unisex name of Irish origin. Bright-headed warrior, clever and courageous.
How Popular Kelly Is
Kelly currently ranks #1536 among name for any genders in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #97 in 1968. It has held steady.
Good to Know About Kelly
- Kelly broke into the top 100 baby names in the U.S., reaching #97 in 1968.
- Kelly has been a top 100 name across 177+ years of American history.
- Kelly is a name with Celtic Irish roots.
- It's a timeless classic that never goes out of style.
Names Like Kelly
Other English names that start with the same letter or share a style.
Sibling Names for Kelly
English names that pair well as a brother or sister to Kelly.
Questions About Kelly
What does Kelly mean?
Kelly is a girl name of English origin. A bright-headed warrior with Irish spirit.
How popular is Kelly?
Kelly currently ranks #748 among girl names in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #10 in 1977. It has been easing off its high.
Where does Kelly come from?
Kelly comes from English roots. Kelly was a top 10 name in the United States, peaking at #10 in 1977.
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