Kelly
How to say it: KEL-ee · /ˈkɛli/
From Irish Gaelic 'Ceallach', meaning 'bright-headed' or 'warrior'; one of the most common Irish surnames used as a first name.
Kelly was the 786th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 319 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1970s, its births are down about 52% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #911 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #786 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 319 |
| Share of births | 1 in 10,392 |
| Peak decade | 1970s |
| Change over 10 years | −52% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #911 |
| In France, 2025 | #567 among girls’ names, 65 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Back in the 1970s Kelly hit its peak. Far below that mark today, it is likely to keep fading.
What goes with it
Light and friendly across two syllables uttered as KEL ee with soft crisp clarity. Erin and Megan complete the set nicely.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Kelly is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Swedish.
In France: #567 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Kelly
- Kelly Clarkson (born 1982)American singer-songwriter
- Kelly Brook (born 1979)British actress and model
- Kelly Macdonald (born 1976)Scottish actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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