Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kelly
GirlIrish· “descendant of Ceallach”
- Meaning
- descendant of Ceallach (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- KEH-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #852
- US babies 2025
- 319
- Best rank
- #10 (1977)
- Peak year
- 1977
Meaning and origin of Kelly
Kelly is often said to mean “descendant of Ceallach”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish roots.
Kelly comes from the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, meaning descendant of Ceallach, one of the most common family names in Ireland. The meaning of Ceallach itself is debated: some link it to a word for strife or war, others to a word for church, and popular sources often say bright-headed. As a first name, Kelly spread in the English-speaking world during the twentieth century and was used for both boys and girls before settling mainly as a girl's name in the United States. Actress Grace Kelly carried the surname. Kelly feels friendly and familiar, a clear Irish-American classic of its generation.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kelli, Kelley, Kellie.
Popularity over time
Kelly first appears in US Social Security records in 1907. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 78 different years, starting in 1948. Its best national rank was #10 in 1977, the same year it reached its highest count of 18,234 babies. In 2025, 319 babies were named Kelly, and it ranked #852 nationally. That is 53% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,002 in 1920, #904 in 1950, #19 in 1980, #111 in 2000, #306 in 2010, and #852 in 2025. Of the 473,965 US girls named Kelly since records began, 28% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 128,053 babies. Since 2010, 9,234 more have been named Kelly.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Carrie and Misty.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kelly ranked highest in Massachusetts, New York, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #460 | 12 |
| New York | #468 | 37 |
| Maryland | #483 | 11 |
| Connecticut | #510 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | #578 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 87% of US babies named Kelly over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Kelly is usually pronounced KEH-lee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-ly”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kelli, Kelley, and Kellie.
Middle names for Kelly
A few middle names that flow with Kelly: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kelly
Similar names
Molly Girl
MAH-lee
“diminutive of Mary” · English
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Neely Girl
NEE-lee
“from an Irish surname” · Irish
#4,144
Holly Girl
HAH-lee
“the holly tree” · English
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Sully Unisex
SUL-ee
“short form of Sullivan; dark eyes” · Irish
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Lilly Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
#252
Erin Girl
AIR-in
“Ireland” · Irish
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Kiara Girl
kee-AR-uh
“bright, clear; or dark” · Italian
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Casey Unisex
KAY-see
“vigilant, watchful” · Irish
#320
Blakely Girl
BLAYK-lee
“dark clearing” · English
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Carly Girl
KAHR-lee
“free man” · English
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Bridget Girl
BRIH-juht
“exalted one” · Irish
#724
Tara Girl
TAIR-uh
“hill; also star” · Irish
#847
Lists that include Kelly
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kelly mean?
Kelly is often said to mean “descendant of Ceallach”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Kelly?
Kelly has Irish roots. Kelly comes from the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, meaning descendant of Ceallach, one of the most common family names in Ireland.
Is Kelly a popular name?
Yes. Kelly ranked #852 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kelly a boy or girl name?
Kelly is mainly a girl's name. About 87% of US babies named Kelly over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Kelly?
Kelly is usually pronounced KEH-lee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings