A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Telly since 1967
Babies named Telly per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 | 13 |
| 1970s | 77 | 1,044 |
| 1980s | 0 | 110 |
| 1990s | 0 | 145 |
| 2000s | 0 | 127 |
| 2010s | 0 | 67 |
| 2020s | 0 | 21 |
Meaning & origin
Telly is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1967. It experienced a peak in popularity in 1974, coinciding with the height of actor Telly Savalas's fame from the television series 'Kool & the Gang.' After declining for decades, the name has been rising in use since 2022, according to the latest available data. Despite its association with a popular TV star, Telly has never ranked among the top 1000 names. Its playful sound and connection to the word 'television' give it a distinctly modern and informal character.
Telly originated as a diminutive of names like Telemaque or Telesphorus, but its modern use is heavily influenced by the nickname of Greek-American actor Telly Savalas (born Aristotelis Savalas). The spelling was further popularized by the American slang term 'telly' for television, giving the name a playful, modern feel.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tel
Variants: Telley, Teli
Sibling names for Telly
Names that share Telly's style, for a brother or sister.
