Kelso

♂ Boy

Pronounced KEL-soh /ˈkɛl.soʊ/High

Meaning: From the Scottish town Kelso — Old English calc-hoh, 'chalk ridge/spur'Medium

In 30 seconds: Scottish and snappy: Kelso is a Border-town name — 'the chalk ridge'. Crisp, cool, and distinctive (That '70s Show's Kelso).

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Origin MediumScottish

MeaningFrom the Scottish town Kelso — Old English calc-hoh, 'chalk ridge/spur'

U.S. rank (2025)#6287 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births14 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 387

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

Kelso comes from the Scottish Border town of Kelso — from Old English calc-hoh, 'chalk ridge or spur'. A crisp, distinctive place-and-surname name.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, the-chalk-ridge at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Kelso is a town in the Scottish Borders — from Old English calc-hoh, 'chalk ridge' — a crisp, cool surname/place-name (That '70s Show's Kelso made it pop).

Overall data confidence 70%

Place-name references — Kelso — etymology

Variations

Kelsoe

Nicknames

Kel

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kelso…

Kelvin— a fellow Kel- name

Kellan— a companion Kel- name

Calder— another Scottish place-name

Sutton— a fellow place-derived name

Explore names like Kelso

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kelso mean?

Kelso is a Scottish town name, 'the chalk ridge' (Old English calc-hoh).

How do you pronounce Kelso?

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

Is Kelso a boy or girl name?

Kelso is a boy's name.

How popular is Kelso?

Kelso is a rare name in the U.S.