Keely
Keely is a girl's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Slender, graceful, or beautiful.
Origin and history
Keely is derived from the Irish surname Ó Caollaidhe, which stems from the word caol meaning slender or graceful. It gained popularity in the late 20th century in the United States as part of a trend toward Irish-sounding names starting with K. While its usage has moderated in recent years, it remains a recognized modern classic.
Popularity in the United States
12,698 babies in the United States have been named Keely since 1880. It ranks #1430 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1651.
States where it is most popular
- TX (13 %)
- CA (11.5 %)
- OH (5 %)
- IL (4.6 %)
- FL (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 210 |
| 1960-1970 | 741 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,305 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,733 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,342 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,659 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,258 |
| 2020-2029 | 450 |
Famous people named Keely
- Keely Shaye Smith: Journalist, Activist
- Keely Hazell: Model, Actress
Fun facts
- Keely originated as an Irish surname before transitioning into a popular given name in English-speaking countries.
- The name is frequently found in alternative spellings such as Keeley, Keelie, and Keighley.