Kelsey
Kelsey is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Cael's island or ship island.
Origin and history
Kelsey is derived from an English surname based on place names in Lincolnshire, meaning 'Cael's island' or 'ship's victory'. Historically used for both boys and girls, it became far more popular for females in late 20th-century America, though it retains steady usage for males. In the United States, it is a recognizable classic unisex name with strong surname-as-first-name roots.
Popularity in the United States
5,322 babies in the United States have been named Kelsey since 1880. It ranks #1677 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1846.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.9 %)
- TX (13.2 %)
- GA (12.8 %)
- FL (6.9 %)
- NY (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 97 |
| 1920-1930 | 128 |
| 1930-1940 | 107 |
| 1940-1950 | 136 |
| 1950-1960 | 164 |
| 1960-1970 | 239 |
| 1970-1980 | 818 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,422 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,465 |
| 2000-2010 | 477 |
| 2010-2019 | 183 |
| 2020-2029 | 81 |
Famous people named Kelsey
- Kelsey Grammer: Actor, Comedian
Fun facts
- The name originally derived from Old English place names in Lincolnshire, such as North and South Kelsey.
- Although originally used predominantly for males, Kelsey gained massive popularity for females in the 1980s and 1990s.