Holding steady.
Popularity of Kelleigh since 1963
Babies named Kelleigh per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 24 |
| 1970s | 46 |
| 1980s | 117 |
| 1990s | 128 |
| 2000s | 79 |
| 2010s | 45 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Kelleigh is a respelling of Kelly that emerged in the 1960s as part of a broader trend toward creative phonetic variants. First recorded in 1963, it saw its greatest use in the 1980s, peaking in 1987 before declining steadily. The name has never entered the top 1000 rankings and has remained stable in recent years, with very low but consistent usage. Its appeal lies in its familiar sound combined with a distinctive spelling, fitting a pattern of names ending in '-eigh' (like Kayleigh or Ryleigh). Kelleigh remains a rare choice, never appearing in any top states list, and is used almost exclusively for girls.
Kelleigh is a modern respelling of Kelly, an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, derived from ceallach meaning 'strife' or 'bright-headed'. The spelling with '-eigh' gained popularity in the late 20th century as part of a trend for unique phonetic renderings. Despite its Irish roots, Kelleigh is considered a modern coinage in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kelly, Kel, Leigh
Sibling names for Kelleigh
Names that share Kelleigh's style, for a brother or sister.
