Given name
Kellye
“a lively and bright-headed woman”
Kellye is a variant of Kelly. One Irish interpretation is “a lively and bright-headed woman.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Kellye is a variant of Kelly. One Irish interpretation is “a lively and bright-headed woman.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Kellye is a variant of Kelly. Kelly has been associated with Irish Gaelic and Irish naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1955. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Kellye through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,347
- 0 boys · 2,347 girls
- Most popular year
- 1987
- 145 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 8 in 2001. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Its largest published annual count for girls was 145 in 1987. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,149 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Kellye, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Kassie
“an unheeded prophetess”
>99% girls
Kelsie
“from the island of ships; of the ship's victory”
>99% girls
Kendra
“having royal power; from the high hill” · “a royal ruler”
>99% girls
Katy
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Caitlin
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Candace
“a queen” · “one who is white and glowing”
>99% girls
Kelsey
“from the island of ships; of the ship's victory”
2% boys · 98% girls
Keely
“a handsome man”
>99% girls