Kelley

Updated: November 1, 2023 by Olivia Mittak

Kelley is a unisex Irish name that means “war”, “church”, and “bright-headed”. Kelley is a variant spelling of Kelly and the Anglicized form of Ceallach. Kelley was at peak popularity for both boys and girls between 1950 and 2000.

Meaning and Origin of the Name Kelley:

Kelley is a unisex baby name of Irish origin that means “war”, “church”, or “bright-headed”. Kelley is the Anglicized version of the Irish name Ceallach. Kelley is also a common Irish surname.

Symbolism of the Name Kelley:

Kelley traditionally means “bright-headed” which refers to someone with red or blonde hair. Parents may also find symbolism in the meanings of “war” and “church”.

Nicknames for the Name Kelley:

Finding the right nickname for a child can be a challenge. It's important to consider multiple options. To make the process easier, we've compiled a list of the best Kelley nicknames:

Kell
Lee
Kells
Kay
Key
Elle
Ellie
Ella
Leigh
Lea
Kellser
K.L.
Keh
Kays

Style of the Name Kelley:

Traditional

Gender of the Name Kelley:

Kelley is a unisex baby name. It's given to both boys and girls.

Pronunciation of the Name Kelley:

KEHL-ee

Number of Syllables in the Name Kelley:

Two

Emotion Evoked From the Name Kelley:

Kelley evokes feelings of leadership and strength of will.

Alternative Spellings for the Name Kelley:

Kelli, Kellie, Kelly, Kelleigh

Popularity of the Name Kelley:

According to the Social Security Administration, Kelley is a somewhat popular unisex baby name. Kelley was in the top 1,000 baby names for girls from 1956 to 1999. It peaked at #168 in 1968. For boys, it was in the top 1,000 names between 1900 and 1911 and again from 1951 to 1982. It peaked at #588 in 1968.