Kelli
Kelli is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Bright-headed or warrior.
Origin and history
Kelli is a feminine name of Gaelic origin, derived from the surname Kelly which traces back to the ancient Irish name Ceallach. The name gained significant popularity in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century as a modern spelling variant of Kelly. While its usage has decreased in recent years, it remains a familiar American classic.
Popularity in the United States
74,891 babies in the United States have been named Kelli since 1880. It ranks #461 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1968.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.1 %)
- TX (7.8 %)
- OH (6 %)
- MI (5.2 %)
- IL (4.8 %)
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 | 19 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,986 |
| 1960-1970 | 16,867 |
| 1970-1980 | 21,540 |
| 1980-1990 | 21,049 |
| 1990-2000 | 10,237 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,570 |
| 2010-2019 | 490 |
| 2020-2029 | 133 |
Famous people named Kelli
- Kelli O'Hara: Actress, Singer
- Kelli Williams: Actress
- Kelli Garner: Actress
Nicknames
Kel, Kell
Fun facts
- Kelli emerged as a popular modern respelling of the traditional Irish surname Kelly during the 1960s and 1970s.
- The name experienced its highest popularity in the U.S. during the late 1960s through the 1980s.