Kelly

Pronunciation: [ k-EHL-ee ]

Girl Name #867 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

Bright-headed Irish roots with Hollywood glamour

Irish American Australian English

Classic Bold Earthy Vintage Playful

Meaning & Origin

"frequenter of churches"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

The Story of Kelly

Kelly comes from the Irish surname O Ceallaigh, derived from ceallach meaning bright-headed or warlike. Originally exclusively a male given name in Ireland, it transitioned to a female name in the United States in the mid-20th century and peaked in popularity in the 1960s-1970s. Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, was instrumental in making the name glamorous and aspirational for a generation of American parents.

Kelly peaked as a girls name in the late 1960s and 1970s, heavily influenced by Grace Kelly who became Princess of Monaco in 1956. The name has been declining since the 1990s but remains familiar and well-liked. TV shows like Married... with Children (Kelly Bundy) kept it in cultural consciousness.

Grace Kelly, the Academy Award-winning actress who became Princess Grace of Monaco, gave the name an aura of elegance and royalty. In Australia, the name connects to the bushranger Ned Kelly, though as a girls name it carries no such association.

Fun Facts

Grace Kelly became Princess of Monaco in 1956, transforming Kelly into a glamour name
Kelly was a top-10 girls name in the US from 1967-1977

Kelly in Other Languages

Irish Ceallaigh

French Kelly

English Kelly

Spanish Kelly

Australian Kelly

Famous People Named Kelly

Kelly Clarkson

Musician

1982

American singer and first winner of American Idol, known for Since U Been Gone and Stronger

Grace Kelly

Royalty

1929

American actress and Academy Award winner who became Princess Grace of Monaco in 1956

Kelly Bundy Fictional

Other

Character from the TV sitcom Married... with Children played by Christina Applegate

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #867
Total SSA Count: 310
Cultural Origins: Irish American Australian English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Kel

Pairs Well With

Kelly Anne Kelly Marie Kelly Lynn Kelly Jo Kelly Jean Kelly Renee

Sibling Names

Casey Shannon Ryan Brendan Erin Patrick

Also a Boy Name

Kelly is also used as a boy name, ranked #1576.

View Kelly as a boy name →

Similar Names

Kelly Bailey Kayla Kaylynn Kaylen Kaylyn Kaylin Cali

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kelly

What does the name Kelly mean?

"frequenter of churches" (from Irish Gaelic). Kelly comes from the Irish surname O Ceallaigh, derived from ceallach meaning bright-headed or warlike. Originally exclusively a male given name in Ireland, it transitioned to a female name in the United States in the mid-20th century and peaked in popularity in the 1960s-1970s. Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, was instrumental in making the name glamorous and aspirational for a generation of American parents.

What is the origin of the name Kelly?

Kelly has Irish Gaelic, Irish, American, Australian, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "frequenter of churches".

Is Kelly a boy or girl name?

Kelly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #867. As a boy name, it is ranked #1576. Kelly is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Kelly?

Kelly is pronounced k-EHL-ee.

How popular is the name Kelly?

Kelly is currently ranked #867 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Kelly?

Common nicknames for Kelly include Kel.

What are good middle names for Kelly?

Popular middle name pairings include Kelly Anne, Kelly Marie, Kelly Lynn, Kelly Jo, Kelly Jean, and Kelly Renee.

What are good sibling names for Kelly?

Names that pair well with Kelly as siblings include Casey, Shannon, Ryan, Brendan, Erin, and Patrick.

How many syllables does Kelly have?

Kelly has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Kelly a common or rare name?

Kelly is moderately common, ranked #867 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Kelly

Kelly is a girl name with Irish, American, Australian, and English origins . The name means "frequenter of churches" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Kelly a boy or girl name? Kelly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #867 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,576. Kelly is more commonly used as a girl name.

Kelly is currently ranked #867 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Kelly has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-EHL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Kelly include Kel. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.