Kelly
Peaked at #10 nationally in 1977, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Kelly has been recorded 85% of the time for girls and 15% of the time for boys.
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Kelly — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#10
in 1977
Current rank
#868
in 2024
Years tracked
117
1907–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1907, Kelly reached its peak popularity for girls in 1977, ranking #10 nationally with 18,234 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #432 (2014) to #868 (2024) — a 50% drop.
As of 2024, Kelly ranks #868 nationally for girls, with 310 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #868 | 310 |
| 2023 | #778 | 362 |
| 2022 | #808 | 347 |
| 2021 | #850 | 324 |
| 2020 | #745 | 366 |
| 2019 | #653 | 447 |
| 2018 | #619 | 485 |
| 2017 | #597 | 504 |
Kelly — Boys (United States)
StablePeak rank
#97
in 1968
Current rank
#1579
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1880, Kelly reached its peak popularity for boys in 1968, ranking #97 nationally with 3,058 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #1528 (2014) to #1579 (2024) — a 3% drop.
As of 2024, Kelly ranks #1579 nationally for boys, with 109 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,579 | 109 |
| 2023 | #1,749 | 94 |
| 2022 | #1,485 | 122 |
| 2021 | #1,540 | 114 |
| 2020 | #1,520 | 110 |
| 2019 | #1,570 | 107 |
| 2018 | #1,597 | 103 |
| 2017 | #1,472 | 115 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — includes both girls' and boys' names.
Common Questions
When was Kelly most popular?
Kelly was most popular in 1977, when it ranked #10 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Kelly becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently stable, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Kelly?
At least 555,958 babies have been recorded with the name Kelly in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Kelly? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.