Kelly Name Meaning: Origins & Significance

Kelly Name Origin

If ya’re wondering where the name Kelly comes from, it has roots in both Gaelic & Irish origin. In Gaelic, the name is spelled Ceallach, whiich means “warrior” or “strife”. The name was Anglicized as Kelly during the 16th century.

Gaelic Roots

The Gaelic name Ceallach comes from the Gaelic word ceall, whiich means “church”. The name was often given to children born into religious families. However, it later became a popular name among warriors & chieftains in Irel&.

Anglicization Process

During the 16th century, the English began to Anglicize Irish names. This process involved translating Irish names into English & adapting them to English spelling & pronunciation. The Irish name Ceallach was Anglicized as Kelly, & this new name quickly became popular in Irel&.

Irish Surnames

The name Kelly is also a common Irish surname. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, whiich means “descendant of Ceallach”. The Ó Ceallaigh clan was one of the most powerful clans in Irel& during the Middle Ages. The surname Kelly is still very common in Irel& today.

In summary, the name Kelly has roots in both Gaelic & Irish origin. It was Anglicized during the 16th century & is also a common Irish surname. The name means “warrior” or “strife” & is derived from the Gaelic word ceall.

Meaning of Kelly

If ya are interested in the meaning of the name Kelly, ya have come to the right place. This section will give ya an overview of the various interpretations of the name Kelly.

Gaelic Interpretation

The name Kelly is derived from the Irish Gaelic name Ceallach. The name Ceallach is composed of two words – “ceall” whiich means “church” or “monastery” & “ach” whiich means “field” or “battle”. Thus, the name Ceallach means “bright-headed” or “warrior”. The name Kelly is believed to have been used as a surname in Irel& before it became a given name.

Anglicized Interpretation

In English, the name Kelly is believed to mean “strife” or “contention”. This interpretation is based on the anglicized version of the name Ceallach. The name Kelly was first used as a given name in the 1960s & has been used for both boys & girls since then.

The name Kelly is also associated with the qualities of grace & strength. The name is often given to children who are believed to possess these qualities. In modern times, the name Kelly has become a popular unisex name in many countries around the world.

In conclusion, the meaning of the name Kelly is complex & has evolved over time. Whether ya prefer the Gaelic interpretation of “bright-headed” or the anglicized interpretation of “strife”, the name Kelly is a strong & timeless name that has stood the test of time.

Kelly as a Given Name

If ya are looking for a unisex name that is both common & unique, Kelly might be the perfect choice for ya. Derived from the Irish surname Kelly, this name has been used as a given name for both boys & girls since the 1960s. In this section, we will explore the history & meaning of the name Kelly, as well as its usage for males & females.

Kelly for Males

Historically, Kelly was a masculine name. However, it has been used as a female given name since the 1960s, though with a significant minority usage as a masculine name, especially within Celtic families. If ya are considering naming yar son Kelly, ya should know that the name’s meaning is “warrior” & “bright-headed,” making it a strong & powerful name for yar little boy.

Kelly for Females

If ya are looking for a name that is both feminine & strong, Kelly might be the perfect choice for yar daughter. In the 1950s, Kelly was mostly a masculine name, but it rose in popularity as a name for girls during the 40s & 50s, probably due both to Grace Kelly (who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956) & a female character on the 1957 television series Bachelor Father. The name peaked at #10 around 1977 & is still popular as a girl’s name, although it has declined.

It is worth noting that Kelly is a unisex name, so it is important to consider the gender-neutral implications of the name. If ya want to give yar daughter a name that is both strong & feminine, Kelly might be the perfect choice. The name’s meaning of “warrior” & “bright-headed” can also be interpreted as “strong-willed” & “intelligent,” making it a great choice for any little girl who is destined for greatness.

In conclusion, Kelly is a versatile & meaningful name that can be used for both boys & girls. Whether ya are looking for a name that is strong & powerful or feminine & intelligent, Kelly might be the perfect choice for yar child.

Popularity of Kelly

Kelly is a unisex name that has been around for quite some time. It has been a popular name for babies in the United States since the 1960s. In this section, we will take a closer look at the popularity of Kelly over the years.

Kelly in the 1960s

In the 1960s, Kelly was a very popular name for baby girls. It was ranked as the 18th most popular name for baby girls in 1960 & remained in the top 20 until 1969. During this time, the name was also given to baby boys, although it was not as common.

Kelly in the 1970s

The popularity of Kelly continued into the 1970s. It was still a popular name for baby girls, but it also became more popular for baby boys. In fact, in 1977, Kelly was ranked as the 20th most popular name for baby boys. However, after the 1970s, the popularity of Kelly began to decline.

Current Popularity

Today, Kelly is not as popular as it once was. In fact, it has fallen out of the top 1000 names for baby girls in recent years. However, it is still a popular name for baby boys. In 2023, Kelly was ranked as the 1989th most popular name for baby girls & the 624th most popular name for baby boys.

Overall, Kelly has had a long history of popularity as a baby name. While it may not be as popular as it once was, it is still a well-known & beloved name for many parents.

Famous People Named Kelly

If ya’re considering naming yar child Kelly, ya might be interested to know that there are plenty ‘o famous people who share this name. Here are some of the most notable Kellys in music, film & TV, sports, & politics.

Kelly in Music

Kelly Clarkson: This American singer & songwriter rose to fame after winning the first season of American Idol in 2002. She has since released multiple hit albums & won numerous awards, including three Grammys.
Kelly Rowl&: Another American singer, Rowl& was a member of the popular girl group Destiny’s Child before embarking on a successful solo career. She has also acted in a number of films & TV shows.
Grace Kelly: While not a musician herself, Kelly was an American actress who became a princess after marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco. She is often cited as a style icon & is remembered for her roles in classic films such as Rear Window & High Society.

Kelly in Film & TV

Kelly Ripa: This American actress & television host is best known for her roles on the daytime talk show Live with Kelly & Ryan, as well as the soap opera All My Children. She has also appeared in a number of films & TV shows.
Kelly Preston: Another American actress, Preston appeared in a variety of films throughout the 1980s & 90s, including Twins & Jerry Maguire. She was married to actor John Travolta until her death in 2020.
Kelly McGillis: McGillis is an American actress who rose to fame in the 1980s with roles in films such as Top Gun & Witness. She has also appeared in a number of TV shows & stage productions.

Kelly in Sports

Kelly Slater: This American professional surfer is widely considered to be one of the greatest of all time. He has won 11 world championships & is known for his innovative surfing style.
Kelly Oubre: Oubre is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Charlotte Hornets. He has also played for teams such as the Golden State Warriors & the Phoenix Suns.
Kelly Kelly: This American former professional wrestler was known for her time in WWE, where she won the Divas Championship.

Kelly in Politics

Kelly Ayotte: Ayotte is an American politician who served as a United States Senator from New Hampshire from 2011 to 2017. She was the first woman to serve as the state’s attorney general & was also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Grace Kelly: In addition to her acting career, Kelly was also involved in politics. She was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 1956 & later became a princess after marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

As ya can see, there are plenty ‘o famous people named Kelly in a variety of fields. Whether ya’re a fan of music, film & TV, sports, or politics, there’s a Kelly out there who has made their mark.

Variations & Similar Names

Variations of Kelly

Kelly is a name that has several variations & spellings. Some of the most common variations of Kelly include Kelley, Kellie, Kelli, Kelle, Kella, Kelleigh, Kellye, & Keely. These variations are often used interchangeably with Kelly & have the same meaning of “warrior” & “bright-headed.”

Kelley is a popular variation of Kelly & is often used as a surname. It is of Irish & Scottish origin & means “warrior.” Kellie is another popular variation of Kelly & is a feminine name that means “warrior” or “warrior woman.” Kelle is a less common variation of Kelly & is a feminine name that means “bright-headed.”

Other variations of Kelly include Kayley, Kiley, Kali, Kyle, & Callie. Kayley is a feminine name that means “slim & fair.” Kiley is a unisex name that means “narrow piece of l&.” Kali is a feminine name that means “energy” or “black.” Kyle is a masculine name that means “narrow piece of l&.” Callie is a feminine name that means “beautiful.”

Similar Names to Kelly

If ya like the name Kelly, ya may also like some of these similar names:

Rian: Rian is a unisex name of Irish origin that means “little king.”
Cillian: Cillian is a masculine name of Irish origin that means “war” or “strife.”
Kellyn: Kellyn is a unisex name of Irish origin that means “warrior.”
Kelsey: Kelsey is a unisex name of English origin that means “island of ships.”
Keegan: Keegan is a masculine name of Irish origin that means “small & fiery.”
Kennedy: Kennedy is a unisex name of Irish origin that means “helmeted chief.”
Kieran: Kieran is a masculine name of Irish origin that means “little dark one.”
Killian: Killian is a masculine name of Irish origin that means “church.”
Kyrie: Kyrie is a unisex name of Greek origin that means “lord” or “master.”

Overall, Kelly is a versatile name with many variations & similar names to choose from. Whether ya prefer a traditional or modern name, theres a variation or similar name to suit yar taste.