Kelley
English · Girl · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Kelley
The given name 'Kelley' is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, meaning "descendant of Ceallach," where Ceallach is an Old Irish personal name likely derived from *ceall* ("church" or "monastery") or *cath* ("battle"), thus often interpreted as "bright-headed" or "warrior." It is primarily used in Irish and English-speaking cultures, with no specific religious association, though it gained popularity in the United States as a unisex given name in the 20th century.
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Etymology
The given name 'Kelley' is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, meaning "descendant of Ceallach," where Ceallach is an Old Irish personal name likely derived from *ceall* ("church" or "monastery") or *cath* ("battle"), thus often interpreted as "bright-headed" or "warrior." It is primarily used in Irish and English-speaking cultures, with no specific religious association, though it gained popularity in the United States as a unisex given name in the 20th century.
Kelley currently ranks #7,322 in the United States as a girl's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1968.
Variants & nicknames
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Sibling name ideas
English names that sit beautifully beside KelleySimilar names you might like
Names starting with KMore names starting with K
- Kaeden
- Kaelyn
- Kaelen
- Kahlen
- Kaare
- Kaian
- Kadiatou
- Kaif
- Kaelem
- Kael
- Kadin
- Kaide
- Kahlan
- Kacee
- Kadi
- Kadey
- Kaela
- Kadir
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