Meaning & origin
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1991. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Connelly through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 359
- 122 boys · 237 girls
- Most popular year
- 2020
- 34 babies
- 2025
- 12
- #12,186 for girls · #12,413 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −35%
- Cooling
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 7 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 12,186 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 7.7% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 5 birth records for boys in 2025. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 370 as a first name in 2020; 22,062 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Connelly’s family of names
In English usage, Connelly as a surname has an alternative spelling in CONNALLY. In English usage, Connelly as a surname has a related form in CONNELLEY. In English usage, Connelly as a surname has a related form in CONNELY.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Connelly has relatives in 4 languages. Lines run from its Irish roots to each of them.
6 related names in 4 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
Similar names
If you love Connelly, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Connolly
Connolly is a surname from Irish.
29% boys · 71% girls
Hennessy
“descendant of Angus”
3% boys · 97% girls
Callihan
Callihan is a surname from Irish.
32% boys · 68% girls
Leddy
Leddy is a surname.
>99% girls
Kerrigan
“having black hair”
7% boys · 93% girls
Caoimhe
“one who is charming and beautiful”
>99% girls
Keally
Keally is a feminine given name from Irish.
>99% girls
Oonagh
“one who is pure; chaste”
>99% girls