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

Popularity of Kellie by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kellie is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Kellie being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 18 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kellie.

The history of the first name Kellie

The name Kellie originated in the Scottish Gaelic language, derived from the word "caillie," which means "bright" or "resplendent." It emerged as a diminutive form of the more common Scottish name Caileigh or Cailean, which itself is derived from the Gaelic "Cailìn," meaning "young woman" or "girl."

The earliest recorded use of the name Kellie dates back to the 16th century in Scotland, where it was predominantly used as a feminine name. It was particularly popular in the Highlands and Islands regions of Scotland during this period.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Kellie can be found in the records of the MacLean Clan, a prominent Scottish clan from the Hebrides Islands. In the late 16th century, there was a notable figure named Kellie MacLean, who was the daughter of Lachlan Mor MacLean, the 16th Chief of the Clan.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kellie. One of the earliest recorded was Kellie Burne (1586-1654), a Scottish poet and author from Perthshire, who was known for her work "The Recreations of Philomythie and Sociable Companions."

In the 18th century, Kellie Leitch (1712-1789) was a prominent Scottish botanist and naturalist, known for her contributions to the study of plants and her extensive collection of botanical specimens.

Another notable figure was Kellie Dunbar (1841-1923), a Scottish suffragette and activist who campaigned for women's rights and was involved in the women's suffrage movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the 20th century, Kellie Martin (born 1975) is an American actress best known for her role as Rebecca "Becca" Jacobs in the television series Life Goes On, which ran from 1989 to 1993.

More recently, Kellie Pickler (born 1986) is an American country music singer and television personality who gained fame as a contestant on American Idol in 2006 and later released several successful albums and singles.

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

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

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