Chelli first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Chelli has been for the last 4 years (from 1975 to 1978) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Chelli

A feminine Hindu name meaning "younger sister".

Popularity of Chelli by gender

Based on the last 4 years of data, Chelli is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1978, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Chelli.

Year Male Count Female Count
1978 0 6
1975 0 5

The history of the first name Chelli

The name Chelli is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient language of the Indian subcontinent. It is thought to be derived from the word "chelli," which means "younger sister" or "little one." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a term of endearment for younger female siblings or children.

Historically, the name Chelli has been primarily associated with the Indian culture and tradition. In ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, there are references to deities and characters with names similar to Chelli, such as Chellamma, who was a local goddess worshipped in parts of southern India.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Chelli dates back to the 9th century CE, when a poetess and scholar from the Chola dynasty of ancient Tamil Nadu was known as Chelli Arunachala Kavirayar. She was celebrated for her literary works and contributions to the Tamil language and literature.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Chelli. In the 16th century, Chelli Pedanna was a renowned poet and scholar from the Vijayanagara Empire of southern India. He was known for his literary works, including the translation of the Hindu epic Mahabharata into Telugu, a language spoken in parts of southern India.

Another historical figure with the name Chelli was Chelli Mallikarjuna Rao, a social reformer and activist from the late 19th century in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. He played a significant role in advocating for the education and empowerment of women during his time.

In the realm of Indian classical dance, Chelli Parvathi Devi was a prominent Kuchipudi dancer from the early 20th century. She was instrumental in preserving and promoting the Kuchipudi dance form, which originated in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Chelli Jagannadha Sastri, a Sanskrit scholar and linguist from the 19th century, was known for his contributions to the study of ancient Indian literature and languages. He authored several works on Sanskrit grammar and literature, which are still widely referenced today.

While the name Chelli has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has been adopted and used in various parts of the world, particularly among communities with Indian diaspora. However, its historical and cultural significance remains closely tied to the ancient Indian traditions and languages.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Chelli was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Chelli, please contact us.

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"Chelli first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 13, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/chelli-meaning-and-history/.

"Chelli first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/chelli-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 August, 2025

Chelli first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/chelli-meaning-and-history/.

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