What does kelly mean?
Kelly is a proper name of Irish origin, used both as a surname and as a masculine or feminine given name. As a surname, it is the Anglicized form of the Irish family name Ó Ceallaigh; as a given name, it belongs to the same Irish personal-name tradition. English speakers know the name through many prominent figures, including actress and royal Grace Kelly and dancer and actor Gene Kelly, although the name does not itself signify a profession, personality trait, or family background. It is normally capitalized and functions as a personal name rather than an ordinary count noun. Kelly may stand alone as the name of a person, follow another given name, or refer to members of a family as “the Kellys.” Outside Ireland, the name is widespread in Britain, the United States, and other English-speaking countries. Its usual English pronunciation is KEL-ee, with primary stress on the first syllable and an unstressed final vowel.
proper nounKelly is a surname and a masculine or feminine given name of Irish origin, derived from the Irish family name Ó Ceallaigh.
- A surname of Irish origin, especially common in Ireland, Britain, and the United States.
- A masculine or feminine given name derived from the Irish personal-name tradition.
"The Kelly family has lived in Boston for three generations."
"Her father was a Kelly, so she inherited the family’s interest in sailing."
"Kelly agreed to meet us outside the library."
The ordinary plural form is used chiefly when referring collectively to members of a family or group sharing the surname.
"The Kellys are moving to Dublin next month."
Two celebrated performers share the name: Gene Kelly brought song and dance to the screen, while Grace Kelly became film royalty.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kelly come from?
Kelly is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh. That surname is the genitive form of the Irish personal name Ceallach, whose earlier Old Irish form was Cellach. Kelly and the alternate spelling Kelley therefore share an Irish name-form rather than deriving from an English descriptive or occupational word.
How kelly is actually used
Kelly is normally capitalized because it is used as a personal name or surname. It is also sometimes encountered in older or specialized English as a common noun with meanings unrelated to the Irish name, but those uses require a historical dictionary rather than ordinary modern usage.
Easily confused with kelly
Kelley is an alternate Anglicized spelling of the Irish surname, while Kelly is the spelling represented by this entry.