Kelley

Irish

"war"

Kelley Origin and Meaning

The name Kelley is a boy's name.

Kelley is primarily an Irish surname that evolved into a masculine given name. It derives from the Gaelic 'Ó Ceallaigh' meaning 'descendant of Ceallach,' an ancient personal name potentially meaning 'bright-headed' or 'troublesome.' While traditionally used as a boy's name, Kelley has become increasingly gender-neutral in modern usage, though it remains more common for males. The spelling with the extra 'e' distinguishes it slightly from the more feminine-leaning 'Kelly.' As a first name, Kelley gained modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century but has gradually declined since the 1980s. The name carries connotations of Irish heritage and is often associated with strength and resilience.

Kelley Rank in US Top 1000

# 946 in the US

Famous People Named Kelley

• Kelley Jones American comic book artist
• Kelley Lovelace American country music songwriter
• Kelley James Donoho (b. 2009) son of American actress Holly Marie Combs