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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kelley

Kelley

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEL-ee /ˈkɛl.i/High

Meaning: A spelling of Kelly — from the Irish O Ceallaigh, variously 'bright-headed', 'a warrior; strife', and 'a church'; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Bright-headed; a warrior: Kelley spells Kelly — 'bright-headed'. Crisp, friendly, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls; said 'KEL-ee').
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Origin LowIrish
MeaningA spelling of Kelly — from the Irish O Ceallaigh, variously 'bright-headed', 'a warrior; strife', and 'a church'; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#7322 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births15 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1968
Total births (all-time)≈ 46,099

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196819192025

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

Kelley is a spelling of Kelly — from the Irish O Ceallaigh, variously 'bright-headed', 'a warrior; strife', and 'a church' (routes layered, which we note). One of the most common Irish surnames. A crisp, friendly name, used for both sexes, here for girls (slug distinguished; nickname Kel).

In the U.S. it peaked mid-to-late 20th century. Rare today, bright-headed-and-a-warrior at the root, and friendly.

Did you know? Kelly comes from the Irish O Ceallaigh, variously 'bright-headed', 'a warrior; strife', and 'a church' — Kelley is a spelling, crisp and friendly, used for both sexes (here for girls; the routes are layered; said 'KEL-ee').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Kelly — routes layered

Variations

KellyKellieKeeley

Nicknames

Kel

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kelley…

Kelly— the standard spelling
Keeley— a sound-neighbor Kel- girls' name
Kinsley— another Irish-flavored girls' name
Kacey— echoes that soft -ey sound
Kasey— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Kelley

By themeuncertainunisexsurname-nameirish
By meaningLightWarrior

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kelley mean?

Kelley spells Kelly — Irish, variously 'bright-headed', 'a warrior', and 'a church'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Kelley?

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

Is Kelley a boy or girl name?

Kelley is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Kelley?

Kelley is a rare name in the U.S. today.

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