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

Popularity of Kelsey by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kelsey is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Kelsey being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 443 female babies and 11 male babies born with the name Kelsey.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 11 baby boys were named Kelsey in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kelsey

Kelsey is an English given name with origins dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English words "ċel" meaning "brook" or "chalky stream" and "ēg" meaning "island" or "dry ground." The name was originally a surname referring to someone who lived near a chalky stream or on dry ground near a stream.

The name Kelsey first appeared in historical records in the 12th century, particularly in areas of England such as Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. It was initially used as a locational surname, but over time, it transitioned into a given name.

One of the earliest documented instances of Kelsey as a first name dates back to the 14th century, with a reference to a man named Kelsey of Bramham in Yorkshire, England, in the year 1379.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Kelsey Whetstone was recorded as a member of the English gentry in Hertfordshire. Whetstone was a prominent family name during that era, and the combination of Kelsey and Whetstone suggests that the name Kelsey held some significance among the gentry.

During the 16th century, a man named Kelsey Throckmorton was a member of the English landed gentry and served as a member of parliament for Worcestershire in 1553. Throckmorton was a prominent surname in English history, and the use of Kelsey as a given name within this family further solidified its importance.

In the 17th century, a woman named Kelsey Rayner was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1642. Rayner was a respected family name in the region, and the inclusion of Kelsey as a given name for a female suggests that it had become more widely accepted for both genders by that time.

Another notable figure from history bearing the name Kelsey was Kelsey Jones, born in 1785 in Wales. Jones was a Welsh poet and writer who gained recognition for his works in the early 19th century, further cementing the name's association with literary and artistic circles.

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

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

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