Holding steady.
Popularity of Kelle since 1950
Babies named Kelle per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1962, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kelle's real moment was 1968.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 236 |
| 1960s | 895 |
| 1970s | 606 |
| 1980s | 386 |
| 1990s | 155 |
| 2000s | 24 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Kelle is a respelled variant of Kelly that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1950. It reached its peak popularity in 1968, when it ranked among the top 1000 names for girls, fitting into the broader trend of Irish-influenced names in that era. Since then, its usage has remained stable but rare, reflecting the decline of the more common spelling Kelly. Despite not reaching the Top 1000 in recent years, Kelle persists as a modestly used alternative, particularly among families seeking a distinctive spelling. Its trajectory has been relatively flat since the 1970s, consistent with a name that has a niche but enduring presence. The name has not concentrated in any particular state, indicating a scattered distribution across the U.S.
Kelle is a modern spelling variant of Kelly, which itself is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh meaning 'descendant of Ceallach'. The personal name Ceallach is of uncertain meaning, possibly 'bright-headed' or 'war'. As a given name, Kelly became popular for girls in the mid-20th century, and Kelle emerged as a respelled variation in the late 1950s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kel, Kell, Elle
Sibling names for Kelle
Names that share Kelle's style, for a brother or sister.
