Kellie

Updated: February 3, 2022 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Kellie is an alternative version of the more common name Kelly. Unlike many respellings, Kellie was almost as popular as the original, especially back in the 1960s and 1970s. It began as a surname, turned into a given name for baby boys, and by the mid-20th century, it was most common as a given name for baby girls. Give it a modern spin by adding a middle name like Luna, Olivia, Harlow, or Delilah.

Meaning of the name Kellie:

Irish: War, bright-headed, church-goer

Origin of the name Kellie:

Kellie is an alternative to the English name Kelly, which is derived from the Irish name Ceallech. The name's exact meaning is up for debate. Some believe it means “war,” while others believe it means “bright-headed,” and some even think it means “church-goer.”

Symbolism of the name Kellie:

New parents might choose Kellie for their baby if they want to celebrate their Irish heritage for passion for Irish culture. The name is also often associated with red-heads, so it might be a good symbolic choice for a baby girl with red hair. Finally, some see the name as a symbol of a warrior because of the “war” meaning, so some new parents may choose it hoping their daughters are strong and brave.

Style of the name Kellie:

Modern

Gender of the name Kellie:

Kellie is a unisex baby name, though it's more common for girls.

Pronunciation of the name Kellie:

KEL-ee

Number of syllables in the name Kellie:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Kellie:

The baby name Kellie evokes images of someone who is bubbly and athletic.

Alternative spellings for the name Kellie:

Kelly
Kellye
Kellee
Kelli
Kelley

Nicknames for the name Kellie:

Popularity of the name Kellie:

According to the Social Security Administration, Kellie was a top 1,000 baby name for girls in the United States between 1956 and 2003. It was most popular in 1969 when it ranked at number 130. It last ranked at number 926 in 2003.