The name Kelsi is a modern feminine given name, derived from the Scottish surname Kelso. The surname Kelso itself originated from a place name, referring to the town of Kelso in the Scottish Borders region. The town's name is believed to have stemmed from the Brittonic language, potentially meaning "chalky place" or "cold place."

While the name Kelsi does not have a long historical lineage as a given name, its roots can be traced back to the 12th century when the town of Kelso was first recorded. The town's name was initially spelled as "Calchvyn" in 1159, evolving into "Kelchou" in 1165, and eventually becoming "Kelso" by the 15th century.

There are no known references to the name Kelsi in ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, the earliest documented use of the name as a given name dates back to the late 20th century, coinciding with the rise of unique and creative baby names inspired by surnames and place names.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kelsi can be found in the case of Kelsi Browning, an American actress born in 1982. Another notable figure with this name is Kelsi Monroe, an American pornographic actress born in 1991.

Kelsi Sheren, an American softball player, was born in 1990 and played for the University of Oklahoma. Kelsi Worrell, an American swimmer, was born in 1994 and has won multiple medals at international competitions, including the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Kelsi Chudoba, an American beauty pageant titleholder, was born in 1993 and was crowned Miss Nebraska USA in 2016. She later competed in the Miss USA 2016 pageant.

It is worth noting that while the name Kelsi has gained popularity in recent decades, its historical roots and earliest recorded uses can be traced back to the Scottish town of Kelso and the evolution of its name over several centuries.