Keleigh first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Keleigh has been for the last 48 years (from 1975 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Keleigh

A feminine variant of the English name "Kelly", meaning "warrior lass."

Popularity of Keleigh by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Keleigh is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Keleigh.

Year Male Count Female Count
2022 0 6
2019 0 12
2018 0 9
2017 0 15
2016 0 9
2015 0 15
2014 0 12
2013 0 7
2012 0 10
2011 0 16
2010 0 15
2009 0 11
2008 0 18
2007 0 18
2006 0 28
2005 0 23
2004 0 19
2003 0 32
2002 0 26
2001 0 17
2000 0 15
1999 0 20
1998 0 15
1997 0 26
1996 0 20
1995 0 22
1994 0 16
1993 0 18
1992 0 25
1991 0 34
1990 0 21
1989 0 25
1988 0 13
1987 0 18
1986 0 14
1985 0 13
1984 0 11
1983 0 11
1982 0 11
1981 0 11
1980 0 5
1979 0 5
1978 0 10
1977 0 14
1976 0 7
1975 0 9

The history of the first name Keleigh

The given name Keleigh is a modern English variation of the Irish feminine name Ceilidh, which is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic word "céilidh" meaning a traditional Scottish or Irish social gathering. The name's origins can be traced back to the Gaelic language spoken in Scotland and Ireland during the medieval period.

Ceilidh, the original Gaelic spelling, was derived from the Old Irish word "céle" meaning companion or spouse. It was initially used to refer to a social visit or gathering, often involving music, dancing, and storytelling. Over time, it evolved into a given name, particularly popular among Scottish and Irish families.

While there are no known historical references to the specific name Keleigh in ancient texts or religious scriptures, the name's roots in Celtic culture and traditions are well-documented. The earliest recorded examples of the name Ceilidh can be found in Scottish and Irish genealogical records dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ceilidh or its variations, including:

  1. Ceilidh Sutherland (born 1987), a Canadian actress known for her roles in television series such as "Reign" and "Killjoys".
  2. Ceilidh Millar (born 1994), a Scottish Olympic snowboarder who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
  3. Ceilidh Firth (born 1981), a Scottish actress and writer, best known for her work in independent films and theater productions.
  4. Ceilidh Michelle (born 1992), an American singer-songwriter and musician from Seattle, Washington.
  5. Ceilidh Webster (born 1981), a Canadian actress and voice actress, known for her work in animated series such as "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic".

The modern spelling variation, Keleigh, is a more recent development and has become increasingly popular in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and Canada. While the name retains its Celtic roots, its unique spelling adds a contemporary twist to an ancient cultural tradition.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Keleigh first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 13, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/keleigh-meaning-and-history/.

"Keleigh first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/keleigh-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 May, 2025

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

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.