Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Telly

Telly

♂ Boy

Pronounced TEL-ee /ˈtɛl.i/High

Meaning: Telly is best known as a Greek-American pet form of Aristotelis (Aristotle) — the actor Telly Savalas made it famous. In British English 'telly' is also everyday slang for television, an association we note honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: A friendly nickname-name: Telly is short for Aristotelis, the Greek form of Aristotle (said 'TEL-ee'). Note it is also British slang for television.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowGreek, English
MeaningTelly is best known as a Greek-American pet form of Aristotelis (Aristotle) — the actor Telly Savalas made it famous. In British English 'telly' is also everyday slang for television, an association we note honestly.
U.S. rank (2024)#13980 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1974
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,527

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197419672024

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

Telly comes from Aristotelis, the modern Greek form of Aristotle, and travelled with Greek families to America — where actor Telly Savalas turned it into a household name. In British usage the same word is casual slang for television, which we note honestly. It is a nickname-name, warm and informal (said 'TEL-ee').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, retro, and nickname-style.

Did you know? Telly Savalas, the lollipop-wielding TV detective Kojak, was born Aristotelis Savalas — his nickname is the whole reason Telly reads as a name at all (said 'TEL-ee').
Overall data confidence 45%
References — Telly — Greek pet form of Aristotelis; Telly Savalas; British slang for television noted

Variations

TeliTelli

Nicknames

TelT

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Telly…

Theo— a like Greek-rooted short name
Toby— a same warm -y nickname-name
Tobin— a like friendly two-beat pick
Teddy— a matching retro nickname-name

Explore names like Telly

By themegreeknickname-namefriendlyretro
By meaningTruth

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Telly mean?

Telly is a pet form of the Greek name Aristotelis (Aristotle). In British English it is also slang for television, which we note.

How do you pronounce Telly?

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

Is Telly a boy or girl name?

Here Telly is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Telly?

Telly is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia