Kelly - name meaning, origin

The boy's name Kelly \k(el)-

, also used as girl's name Kelly, is pronounced KEL-ee. It is of Irish and Gaelic origin, and its meaning is "descendant of Ceallach". Transferred use of the surname. Originally an Anglicised form of the male name Ceallach, possibly meaning "bright-headed", "strife", or "church, monastery". TV producer David Kelley.

Kelly has 1 variant form: Kelley.

For more information, see also related names Cillian, Keeley and Killian.

Baby names that sound like Kelly are Keely, Kealy, Kell and Kelle.

Kelly is a very common first name for men (#248 out of 1220) and also a very common last name for both men and women (#74 out of 88799). (1990 U.S. Census)

Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy name Kelly. Compare Kelly with its variant form and related boy names.

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