Kelli
Kelli is a modern American spelling variation of Kelly, which originates from the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh meaning 'descendant of Ceallach' (bright-headed or warrior). The double-L, single-I spelling emerged in the mid-20th century as a feminine form.
Current Popularity
#7392 for girls
in the United States (2024)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Spelling may require clarification (Kelly vs. Kelli)
- •Easy to pronounce across different languages
- •Has a friendly, down-to-earth quality
- •Popular in the 1970s-1990s, less common today
- •Multiple spelling variations exist
Similar Names
Famous People
Kelli Giddish
Actress, Law & Order: SVU
Kelli O'Hara
Tony Award-winning Broadway actress
Kelli Williams
Actress, The Practice
Kelli Berglund
Actress, Lab Rats
Statistics
74,875
Total births since 1880
1970
Peak year
Discovery
Keep exploring
Use these paths to keep browsing instead of backing out into a blank search.
Rising now
Browse trending names
See names climbing fastest right now.
Always popular
Explore timeless classics
Find names that have stayed strong for decades.
For this gender
See all-time favorites
Jump into the broadest popularity list.
Stories
Read famous-name profiles
Follow cultural stories that shaped naming trends.
Guides
Browse recent articles
Move from inspiration into editorial advice.