| Meaning | warrior, bright-headed |
| Origin | Gaelic, Irish |
| Gender | gender neutral |
| Opposite gender | Kelly |
| Popularity | Moderate |
| Length | 5 |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Syllabification | Kel-ly |
About Kelly
A friendly, approachable name that bridges traditional and modern sensibilities with effortless charm. Kelly has evolved beautifully across generations, carrying with it a sense of warmth and accessibility. The name's gentle sound and balanced structure make it easy to pair with various middle names and surnames. Historically unisex, Kelly brings a progressive quality to naming traditions while maintaining broad appeal. Its familiarity ensures easy recognition and pronunciation, yet it never feels overly common or dated. The name suits a child who might grow up to be creative, sociable, and open-minded. Kelly works equally well in casual and professional settings, offering versatility that many parents value. The soft K opening combined with the lyrical double-L creates a melodic quality that's both pleasing to the ear and simple to spell, making it practical for everyday use throughout life.
Nicknames for Kelly
| Kel |
| K.L. |
| Kels |
| Kell |
Famous People Named Kelly
| Kelly Johnson | American aerospace engineer and designer of the SR-71 Blackbird |
| Kelly Clarkson | American singer and winner of the inaugural season of American Idol |
| Kelly Reichardt | American film director and screenwriter |
| Kelly Ayotte | American politician and former U.S. Senator |
| Kelly Hansen | American rock singer with the band Foreigner |
| Kelly Rowland | American singer and member of Destiny's Child |
| Kelly Olynyk | Canadian professional basketball player |
| Kelly Pavlik | American former professional boxer |
| Kelly Cutrone | American fashion publicist and television personality |
| Kelly Tripucka | American retired NBA player |
| Kelly McGillis | American actress known for her role in "Top Gun" |
| Kelly Blatz | American actor and musician |
| Kelly Reno | Former American actor, known for his role in "The Black Stallion" |
| Kelly Sutherland | Canadian chuckwagon racer |
| Kelly Jones | Welsh singer and lead vocalist of the Stereophonics |
| Kelly Slater | American actor known for "Days of Thunder" and "Heathers" |
| Kelly Groucutt | English musician and bassist of Electric Light Orchestra |
| Kelly Rutherford | American actress known for her role in "Gossip Girl" |
| Kelly Chen | Hong Kong singer and actress |
Characters Named Kelly
| Kelly Taylor | A character from the TV series "Beverly Hills, 90210" |
| Kelly Severide | A character from the TV series "Chicago Fire" |
| Kelly Gaines | A character from the movie "Bad News Bears" |
| Kelly Leak | A character from the movie "The Bad News Bears" |
| Kelly Garrett | A character from the TV series and movie "Charlie's Angels" |
| Kelly Bundy | A character from the TV series "Married... with Children" |
| Kelly Kapoor | A character from the TV series "The Office" - US |
| Kelly Burkhardt | A character from the TV series "Grimm" |
| Kelly Parker | A character from the movie "Center Stage" |
| Kelly Canter | A character from the movie "Country Strong" |
| Kelly Robinson | A character from the movie "Undercover Brother" |
| Kelly O'Shea | A character from the movie "Summer School" |
| Kelly Myers | A character from the movie "Donnie Darko" |
| Kelly Van Ryan | A character from the movie "Wild Things" |
| Kelly Moss | A character from the movie "F/X2" |