Find out how popular the first name Connelly has been for the last 33 years (from 1991 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Connelly by gender

Based on the last 33 years of data, Connelly is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 65% of people named Connelly being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 15 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Connelly.

The history of the first name Connelly

The name Connelly is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Conghalaigh, which is derived from the Old Irish personal name Congalach. This name is believed to have originated in the 5th or 6th century CE and is composed of the elements "con" meaning high or noble, and "gal" meaning valor or bravery.

The earliest recorded use of the name Conghalaigh can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Conghalaigh Ua Conchobair, an Irish prince who lived in the 11th century and was a member of the influential O'Conor dynasty.

In the 12th century, the name Conghalaigh appeared in the Lebor Gabála Érenn, a medieval Irish literary work that traces the origins and genealogies of the Irish people. This text mentions a figure named Conghalaigh mac Eidhin, who was said to be a descendant of the legendary Irish king Niall of the Nine Hostages.

Throughout the Middle Ages, various spellings of the name were used, including Congalach, Conchobhar, and Conchúr. One notable bearer of the name during this time was Conchobhar Mac Conghalaigh, a 14th-century Irish priest and historian who wrote a chronicle of the O'Conor dynasty.

As the name spread beyond Ireland, it was anglicized to Connelly, and this spelling became more common in the 16th and 17th centuries. One of the earliest recorded examples of the Connelly spelling was Connelly O'Mulconry, an Irish Franciscan friar who lived in the late 16th century.

Other notable historical figures with the first name Connelly include:

1. Connelly Whittington (1769-1839), an English artist and engraver known for his landscape paintings.
2. Connelly Cavanagh (1810-1886), an Irish-Australian politician and businessman who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.
3. Connelly Milburn (1858-1921), an American lawyer and politician who served as the 25th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois.
4. Connelly Gamble (1884-1959), an American baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Athletics in the early 20th century.
5. Connelly Coolidge (1888-1975), an American diplomat and author who served as the United States Ambassador to several countries, including Cuba and Nicaragua.

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 Connelly was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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