Rising since 1999, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Kelso since 1915
Babies named Kelso per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 33 |
| 1920s | 34 |
| 1930s | 23 |
| 1940s | 17 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 72 |
| 2010s | 94 |
| 2020s | 109 |
Meaning & origin
Kelso is a rare given name that first appeared on the U.S. Social Security records in 1915, though it was not widely used until recent years. Its popularity has been steadily rising since 1999, and in 2025 it reached a rank of 6,143, with an estimated 1 in 122,005 newborns receiving the name. The peak year so far was 2024, suggesting continued growth. As a surname-turned-given-name, Kelso carries a strong, two-syllable sound and a Scottish heritage that appeals to parents seeking distinctive but familiar-sounding names. Its lack of top state concentrations indicates its use is spread thinly across the country.
Kelso likely derives from the town of Kelso in the Scottish Borders, whose name may come from the Old English 'cēalc' (chalk) and 'hōh' (ridge) or from the Cumbric 'calch' (chalk) and 'sǣ' (sea, lake). The name has been used as a surname for centuries before emerging as a given name in the early 20th century. It gained modest recognition in the United States, particularly in the late 1900s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kel
Sibling names for Kelso
Names that share Kelso's style, for a brother or sister.
