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Kelly

Meaning: Descendant of Ceallach
Origin: Irish Gaelic — Ceallach's meaning is uncertain, perhaps bright-headed

Girl's name · #852 in the US (2025) · Retro

76% girls · 24% boys — Kelly is also given to boys: 84 in 2025, about 24% in recent years. Kelly →

Popularity over time

Kelly reached #10 in 1977 and has faded to #852 since. About 474,000 girls have carried it since 1907.

Across the states

See where Kelly is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 25 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Kelly ranks in other countries and regions.

#283 in Sweden (2025) · #318 in Ecuador (2025) · #645 in France (2025) · #753 in Switzerland (2025) · #1,076 in Belgium (2025) · #2,075 in England & Wales (2025) · #613 in Canada (2024).

Famous Kellys

Kelly Clarkson — American singer-songwriter (born 1982)
Kelly Rowland — American singer and actress (born 1981)
Kelly Preston — American actress (1962–2020)
Kelly Brook — British actress and model
Kelly Macdonald — Scottish actress

In stories & tradition

Kelly Taylor — Beverly Hills, 90210 (TV series)
Kelly Kapoor — The Office (TV series)
Kelly Peyton^es — Alias (TV series)

What Kellys become

Among 1,529 notable people named Kelly:

Sports figures appear 1.9× more often than among typical names — e.g. Kelly Holmes, British middle distance athlete and Olympic gold medallist.

Similar names: Celia · Leslie · Chelsea · Julie · Tara · Kara

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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