Kelly

Gender
Unisex (Masculine & Feminine | Boys and Girls)
Usage/Origins
Meaning
"Warrior" or "Descendant of Ceallach"
Pronunciation
KEHL-ee(English)
KEL-ee
Popularity
Kelly is a moderately popular name around the world. In the United States, it was most popular in the 1970s and 1980s but has since declined in popularity. As of 2021, it is ranked as the 353rd most popular name for girls in the United States. In other English-speaking countries, such as Canada and Australia, it remains a more popular name.

cartoon of the name Kelly
Cartoon of Kelly

Kelly Name meanings & History

"Warrior" or "Descendant of Ceallach". Kelly is a versatile name that can work for both boys and girls. It is often used as a first name but can also be used as a middle name. The name is most commonly used in English-speaking countries.

Zodiac Sign of Kelly: Kundalini (Hindu, for power) Scorpio

Synonyms of Kelly:

K: Karma,Karate,Kind,Kundalini

E: Environment,Entertain,Enliven,Exaggerate,Expressive,Enlighten

L: Lazy,Lovely,Liaison,Lover,Luscious,Languid,Legal

Y: Yen/money,Youth-giving,Yin/Yang

Kelly is:

  • a Common name
  • a Informal name
  • a Natural name
  • a Refined name
  • a Simple name
  • a Strong name
  • a Wholesome name
  • a Youthful name

Famous People

Famous people named Kelly include actress Kelly Ripa, journalist Kelly O'Donnell, musician Kelly Clarkson, and author Kelly Link.

2.) KELLY (Male)

Usage: American

Meanings: Anglicized form of the Irish Ceallagh, which is thought to be derived from ceallach (strife). The use of Kelly as a given name is most likely from the transferred use of the surname O’Kelly or Kelly, which is the second most common surname in Ireland. Var: Kelley. (KEL-LEE)


3.) KELLY (Female)

Usage: Irish

Meanings: Transferred use of the Anglicized surname derived from O’Ceallaigh (descendant of Ceallagh). Ceallagh is derived from ceallagh, ceallach (war, strife). Alternatively, the name might derive from various Scottish place-names that are from the Cornish celli (wood, grove). (KEL-LEE)


4.) Kelly (Male)

Usage: Irish

Meanings: (Irish) able combatant

Other Forms: Keli, Kellee, Kelley, Kelli


5.) Kelly (Unisex)

Usage: Gaelic

Meanings: Bright-headed

Other Forms: Kelli, Kellie


6.) Kelly (Female)

Usage: Irish

Meanings: (Irish) brave warrior. See also Caeley.

Other Forms: Kellye, Kely, KelyaKellye, Kely, Kelya,Kelliann, Kellianne, Kellyann


7.) KELLY (Female)

Usage: American

Meanings: Transferred use of the Irish surname meaning “war, strife” or the transferred use of English place-names derived from the Cornish celli (wood, grove). See KELLY (English Names). Var: Kelee, Kelley, Kelli, Kellie. (KEL-EE)


8.) Kelly (Male)

Usage: Irish

Meanings: (Irish) warrior.

Other Forms: Keallea, Keallee, Kealleigh, Kealley, Kealli, Keallie, Keally, Keilee, Keileigh, Keiley, Keili, Keilie, Keillea, Keillee, Keilleigh, Keilley, Keilli, Keillie, Keilly, Keily, Kelle, Kellee, Kelli, Kellie, Kely, Keylee, Keyleigh, Keyley, Keyli, Keylie, Keyllee, Keylleigh, Keylley, Keyly


9.) KELLY (Female)

Usage: English

Meanings: Transferred use of the Irish surname, Anglicized from O’Ceallaigh (descended from Ceallagh), which is derived from ceallagh, ceallach (strife, war). Alternatively, Kelly may be from local place-names derived from the Cornish celli (wood, grove). Originally a male name, Kelly is now also in use as a female name. Var: Kelley, Kelli, Kellie. (KEL-LEE)


10.) KELLY (Male)

Usage: English

Meanings: Anglicized form of the Irish Ceallagh, which is thought to be derived from ceallach (strife). The use of Kelly as a given name is most likely from the transferred use of the surname O’ Kelly or Kelly (O’Ceallaigh), which is the second most common surname in Ireland. (KEL-LEE)


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