Girl · 55th of 27,321
Kelsey
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
155,383
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1992
Peak Popularity Year
11,882
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kelsey 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
Kelsey is an Old English name meaning 'island of the ship.' It evolved from the place name Ceol's ey and became popular in the late 20th century in the United States. The name is associated with traits of friendliness and approachability, and it has no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɛl.si/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Kelsey is derived from Old English, specifically from a place name meaning 'Ceol's island' or 'island of the ship.'
Meaning
island of the ship
Language Evolution
Ceol's ey (Old English), Kelsy (Middle English), Kelsey (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Kelsey gained popularity as a given name in the United States during the late 20th century, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.
Variants & Derivatives
Kelsi, Kelsie, Kellie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Kelsey is often perceived as a trendy and youthful name, commonly associated with a friendly and approachable personality.
Famous People
Kelsey Grammer - American actor and comedian, Kelsey Ballerini - American country music singer, Kelsey Chow - American actress
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:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 11,882 peak births in 1992
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 19 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 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2302nd of 7545 | 202 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2265th of 6773 | 199 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1904th of 7552 | 329 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 991st of 10718 | 1,054 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 786th of 16616 | 2,504 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2252nd of 24088 | 837 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5900th of 23106 | 178 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 7783rd of 9204 | 11 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3180th of 12526 | 262 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1196th of 19264 | 1,553 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 55th of 27321 | 97,058 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 125th of 35406 | 42,732 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 452nd of 30306 | 8,459 |