How to Pronounce Kelly
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Kelly name meaning
Last Name
267k
in the U.S.
in 2010
267k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name Kelly mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Kelly
User Submitted Origins
Irish
52%
English
37%
Gaelic
3%
Celtic
2%
American
2%
Chinese
2%
User Submitted Meanings
- A user from Florida, U.S. says the name Kelly means "Warrior, bright-headed".
- 9 submissions from all over the world agree the name Kelly means "Warrior" and is of Irish origin.
- According to a user from India, the name Kelly is of American origin and means "Warrior women".
- A submission from Virginia, U.S. says the name Kelly means "Warrior Woman" and is of Irish origin.
- A user from North Carolina, U.S. says the name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "Warrior Maiden".
- 2 submissions from Australia and the United States agree the name Kelly means "Bright-headed" and is of Irish origin.
- According to a user from Virginia, U.S., the name Kelly means "strong".
- According to a user from Kenya, the name Kelly is of Mexican origin and means "Strong and a fighter".
- A submission from Arizona, U.S. says the name Kelly means "I was told that it means 'strong' or 'strength'" and is of English origin.
- A user from Netherlands says the name Kelly means "War".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Other Dictionary Sources
- United States dancer who performed in many musical films (1912-1996)
- United States film actress who retired when she married into the royal family of Monaco (1928-1982)
- United States circus clown (1898-1979)
Wiktionary
- A surname, Anglicised from the Irish Ó Ceallaigh.
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
- A female given name transferred from the surname, popular from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Kelly was also found in the following language(s): Dutch
Notable Persons Named Kelly
Notable Persons Named Kelly
Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa is an actress, co-host of live! with kelly and michael, co-founder of milojo, spokesperson for electrolux, rykä, live! with kelly, michael, electrolux, and spokesperson forelectroluxandrykä. She has been prominent since 1986. Kelly was given the name Kelly Maria Ripa on October 2nd, 1970 in Stratford, New Jersey, U.S.
Kelly Macdonald
Kelly Macdonald is an actress. Her most notable accomplishments were from 1995 to present. Kelly was born on February 23rd, 1976 in Glasgow.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson is a pop music and rock music musician. She holds the title Dark Side" and Don't Rush". She was most prominent from 2002 to present. Kelly was given the name Kelly Brianne Clarkson on April 24th, 1982 in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston is a model and actress. Her most notable accomplishments were from 1980 to 1980. Kelly was born on October 13th, 1962 in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook is a model. Kelly was given the name Kelly Ann Parsons on November 23rd, 1979 in Rochester, Kent, England, UK.
Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland is a music artist (occupation), actor, celebrity, recording artist, actress, and television personality. She holds the title Commander". She was most active from 1997 to present. Kelly was given the name Kelendria Trene Rowland on February 11th, 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Notable Persons With the Last Name Kelly
Notable Persons With the Last Name Kelly
Megyn Kelly
Megyn Kelly is a journalist, news anchor, political commentator, and attorney at law. Megyn was given the name Megyn Marie Kelly on November 18th, 1970 in Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Machine Gun Kelly
Machine Gun Kelly is a hip hop music and rap rock musician. His most notable accomplishments were from 2006 to present. Machine was given the name Richard Colson Baker on April 22nd, 1990 in Houston, Texas, US. Machine is also known as Machine Gun Kelly.
Grace Patricia Kelly
Grace Patricia Kelly was an actor. Her most notable accomplishments were from 18 to 18. Grace was born as the child of John B. Kelly, Sr., and Margaret Katherine Majer on November 12th, 1929 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. She passed away on September 14th, 1982.
Iggy Azalea
Iggy Azalea is a hip hop music and electronic dance music musician. She has had major accomplishments since 2011. Iggy was given the name Amethyst Amelia Kelly on June 7th, 1990 in Sydney.
Gene Kelly
Gene Kelly was a dancer, choreographer, director, actor, singer, producer, and choreography. He was most active from 1938 to 1994. Gene was given the name Eugene Curran Kelly on August 23rd, 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. He died on February 2nd, 1996.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and basketballer. He holds the title Bump N' Grind". He was most active from 1989 to present. R. was given the name Robert Sylvester Kelly on January 8th, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Tori KellySinging
- Minka KellyActress
- Kelly KellyWrestler
- Ned KellyBushranger
- Chip KellyAthlete
- Michael KellyActor
- Jim KellyFootball Player
- Machine Gun KellyGangster
- Scott KellyTest Pilot
- Lisa KellyTrucker
- Katherine KellyActress
- Mark KellyTest Pilot
- Brian Kelly
- John F. Kelly
Ethnicity Distribution
| Ethnicity | Kelly | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| █ | White | 78.09% | 64.26% |
| █ | African American | 16.22% | 11.96% |
| █ | Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander | 0.64% | 4.85% |
| █ | American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.54% | 0.69% |
| █ | Two or More Ethnicities | 1.81% | 1.76% |
| █ | Hispanic or Latino | 2.69% | 16.26% |
Of Last Name Kelly
People with the last name Kelly are most frequently White or African American
Entire United States
Fun Facts about the name Kelly
| #66 | Most Popular Girl Names |
| #6 | Names Inspired by 90210 |
| #5 | Last Name First Names |
| #2 | Unisex Names |
| #13 | Boy Names Unique to the Plains |
| #5 | Boy Names Unique to the Rockies |