Keli

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEH-lee /ˈkɛl.i/Medium

Meaning: A spelling of Kelly, from the Irish O Ceallaigh, 'bright-headed' or 'warrior; strife'; separately a Hawaiian form. A crisp two-beat name; routes given honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp short name: Keli reads as a form of Kelly, 'bright-headed; warrior' (said 'KEH-lee'). Also a Hawaiian name.

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Origin LowIrish, Hawaiian

MeaningA spelling of Kelly, from the Irish O Ceallaigh, 'bright-headed' or 'warrior; strife'; separately a Hawaiian form. A crisp two-beat name; routes given honestly.

U.S. rank (2024)#16424 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1979

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,349

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Keli is a form of Kelly ('bright-headed; warrior,' Irish) and separately a Hawaiian name. Crisp and rare in this spelling in the U.S. (said 'KEH-lee').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, crisp, and bright.

Did you know? Keli spells Kelly — from the Irish O Ceallaigh, 'bright-headed' or 'warrior' — and is also a Hawaiian name, a crisp two-beat pick given honestly (said 'KEH-lee').

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Keli — Kelly form; Irish 'bright-headed; warrior' / Hawaiian

Variations

KellyKellieKeli

Nicknames

KelLili

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Keli…

Kelly— the standard spelling

Kellie— a like Kelly form

Kailani— a like Hawaiian pick

Nelly— a like crisp -elly name

Explore names like Keli

By themeshort irish hawaiian crisp

By meaningLight Warrior Gift / Blessing Truth

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Keli mean?

Keli is a form of Kelly (Irish, 'bright-headed; warrior'), and also a Hawaiian name.

How do you pronounce Keli?

It's said KEH-lee /ˈkɛl.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Keli a boy or girl name?

Keli is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Keli?

Keli is a rare name in the U.S.