Kelley
Kelley is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Bright-headed, warrior, or frequenter of churches.
Origin and history
Kelley is a unisex name of Gaelic origin, traditionally derived from an Irish surname meaning bright-headed or warrior. While often used as a surname or female given name, it has a long history of use for boys in the United States. Today it remains a rare choice for male infants.
Popularity in the United States
6,286 babies in the United States have been named Kelley since 1880. It ranks #1523 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1850.
States where it is most popular
- TX (24.1 %)
- CA (21.4 %)
- OH (7.7 %)
- MO (4.6 %)
- OK (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 29 |
| 1890-1900 | 32 |
| 1900-1910 | 81 |
| 1910-1920 | 244 |
| 1920-1930 | 309 |
| 1930-1940 | 233 |
| 1940-1950 | 359 |
| 1950-1960 | 891 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,370 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,059 |
| 1980-1990 | 795 |
| 1990-2000 | 417 |
| 2000-2010 | 221 |
| 2010-2019 | 169 |
| 2020-2029 | 77 |
Famous people named Kelley
- Kelley Armstrong: Author
Nicknames
Kell
Fun facts
- Kelley derives from the Irish Ó Ceallaigh, one of the most prominent traditional surnames in Ireland.
- While modern U.S. usage heavily leans female for the Kelly/Kelley spelling variants, both have historically served as masculine given names.