Find out how popular the first name Kelley has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kelley by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kelley is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 91% of people named Kelley being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 17 female babies and 14 male babies born with the name Kelley.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 14 baby boys were named Kelley in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kelley

The name Kelley is an English given name derived from the Old Irish Gaelic word "cailleach," which means "veiled one" or "nun." It is believed to have originated as a descriptive term for a woman who wore a veil or headdress, possibly as a symbol of religious devotion or modesty.

The name Kelley is closely related to the Irish surname Kelly, which has its roots in the ancient Gaelic clan Ó Ceallaigh. This clan was prominent in various parts of Ireland, particularly in the counties of Galway, Roscommon, and Sligo, during the medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kelley can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history written in the early 17th century. The annals mention several individuals with the surname Kelly, including Tadhg Ó Ceallaigh, who was a notable poet and historian in the 15th century.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the given name Kelley. One of the most famous was Kelley Wearstler, an American interior designer born in 1967. She is renowned for her eclectic and distinctive design style, and has worked on numerous high-profile projects for celebrities and luxury brands.

Another notable Kelley was Kelley Jones, an American comic book artist born in 1962. He is best known for his work on various Batman titles for DC Comics, where he developed a distinct and moody artistic style that captured the dark and gothic atmosphere of Gotham City.

In the world of sports, Kelley Sheehan was an American professional golfer born in 1976. She won several tournaments on the LPGA Tour and represented the United States in the Solheim Cup, a prestigious team event between the top female golfers from Europe and the United States.

Kelley Stoltz is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in 1975. He is known for his eclectic blend of indie rock, pop, and psychedelic influences, and has released several critically acclaimed albums since the early 2000s.

Finally, Kelley Morse was an American artist and illustrator born in 1928. She is renowned for her vibrant and whimsical illustrations, which often featured anthropomorphic animals and magical scenes. Her work has appeared in numerous children's books and magazines throughout her career.

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

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

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