Kellye
Kellye is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Bright-headed, warrior, or frequent visitor to churches.
Origin and history
Kellye is a modern spelling variant of the Gaelic-derived name Kelly. Historically originating as an Irish surname (Ó Ceallaigh), it is traditionally interpreted as meaning 'warrior' or 'frequent visitor to churches'. The spelling with a final 'e' peaked in usage in the late 20th century in the United States and is now rarely given to newborns.
Popularity in the United States
2,347 babies in the United States have been named Kellye since 1880. It ranks #3636 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- TX (46.2 %)
- TN (21.8 %)
- CA (9.9 %)
- LA (4 %)
- OK (4 %)
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 | 161 |
| 1960-1970 | 810 |
| 1970-1980 | 544 |
| 1980-1990 | 645 |
| 1990-2000 | 174 |
| 2000-2010 | 13 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Kellye
- Kellye Cash: Beauty Queen, Musician
- Kellye Nakahara: Actress
Nicknames
Kel
Fun facts
- Kellye emerged as a trendy modern variation of Kelly during the 1960s through 1980s in the United States.
- The name saw its highest U.S. usage in the late 1960s and 1970s before dropping off sharply in recent decades.