Girl · 1145th of 19,264
Kellee
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
3,730
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1978
Peak Popularity Year
201
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kellee stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Kellee is an English name that originates from the Irish surname Kelly, which means 'warrior' or 'bright-headed.' It evolved from the Old Irish name Ceallach and became popular as a feminine variant in the 20th century. Kellee is known for its modern appeal and friendly connotations, with no biblical background. Notable people with this name include actress Kellee Stewart and rapper Kellee Maize.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɛli/
Origin
English
Etymology
Kellee is derived from the name Kelly, which has Irish origins. The name Kelly itself comes from the Gaelic surname Ó Ceallaigh, meaning 'descendant of Ceallach,' where Ceallach means 'warrior' or 'bright-headed.'
Meaning
warrior; bright-headed
Language Evolution
Ceallach (Old Irish), Ó Ceallaigh (Irish surname), Kelly (Anglicized form), Kellee (modern variant)
Historical Usage
Kellee emerged as a feminine variant of Kelly in the 20th century, gaining popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s.
Variants & Derivatives
Kelly, Kelli, Kelley
Modern Popularity & Image
Kellee is perceived as a modern and feminine name, often associated with a friendly and approachable personality. It reflects a contemporary style and is less common than its root name, Kelly.
Famous People
Kellee Stewart (actress), Kellee Maize (rapper and activist)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 201 peak births in 1978
Geographic Spread
Popular across 24 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 16 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10718th of 10718 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13786th of 16616 | 11 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2012th of 12526 | 562 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1145th of 19264 | 1,671 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1811th of 27321 | 1,153 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 6462nd of 35406 | 295 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 18286th of 30306 | 33 |