Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kelsey
GirlEnglish, Old English· “from an English place name; ship island”
- Meaning
- from an English place name; ship island
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- KEHL-see
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #814
- US babies 2025
- 335
- Best rank
- #23 (1992)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Kelsey
Kelsey is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name; ship island”.
Kelsey is an English surname taken from the place name Kelsey in Lincolnshire. It is usually explained as coming from the Old English personal name Ceol, which meant ship, and eg, island, giving Ceol's island. Like many surnames, it was used as a first name for boys before becoming far more common for girls in the United States during the late twentieth century. Kelsey has a friendly, sporty feel and remains firmly associated with that era. Kels is the obvious nickname, and the spellings Kelsie and Kelsi appear as variants.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kelcey.
Popularity over time
Kelsey first appears in US Social Security records in 1942. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 49 different years, starting in 1977. Its best national rank was #23 in 1992, the same year it reached its highest count of 11,713 babies. In 2025, 335 babies were named Kelsey, and it ranked #814 nationally. That is 65% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,555 in 1950, #603 in 1980, #88 in 2000, #233 in 2010, and #814 in 2025. Of the 150,416 US girls named Kelsey since records began, 57% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 27,758 babies. Since 2010, 12,627 more have been named Kelsey.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jasmine, Alexandra, Victoria, Shelby, and Chelsea.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kelsey ranked highest in Maryland, Tennessee, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #445 | 12 |
| Tennessee | #464 | 17 |
| Connecticut | #511 | 6 |
| Iowa | #536 | 6 |
| Kentucky | #537 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Kelsey over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Kelsey is usually pronounced KEHL-see, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with K and ends in “-ey”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kelcey.
Middle names for Kelsey
A few middle names that flow with Kelsey: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kelsey
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Lists that include Kelsey
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kelsey mean?
Kelsey is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name; ship island”.
What is the origin of the name Kelsey?
Kelsey has English and Old English roots. Kelsey is an English surname taken from the place name Kelsey in Lincolnshire.
Is Kelsey a popular name?
Yes. Kelsey ranked #814 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kelsey a boy or girl name?
Kelsey is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Kelsey over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Kelsey?
Kelsey is usually pronounced KEHL-see. 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