Kelsey Unisex
Origin(s)
English; Irish
Meaning
English: from the island of the ships; Irish: a descendent of Ceallach
Historical & Cultural Background
Kelsey originated as a surname in England, derived from a place name. It became popular as a given name for girls in the 20th century. The name has also been associated with Irish heritage, where it is linked to the Gaelic name Ceallach. Kelsey has been used in various cultural contexts, contributing to its widespread appeal.
Trend Summary
Kelsey experienced significant popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Kelsie
- Kelsea
International Variants
- Kelsi (English)
- Kelsie (English)
Famous people named Kelsey
Kelsey Grammer is an American actor known for his role as Frasier Crane on the television series 'Frasier'.
Kelsey Chow is an American actress recognized for her work on the Disney Channel series 'Pair of Kings'.
Kelsey Ballerini is an American country music singer and songwriter who gained fame with her debut album 'The First Time'.
Kelsey Montague is an American mural artist known for her interactive street art.
Fictional characters named Kelsey
Kelsey Hayes is a character in the 'Shadow Falls' series by C.C. Hunter, known for her journey of self-discovery.
Kelsey is a character in the animated series 'The Magic School Bus', often portrayed as curious and adventurous.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kelsey was first seen in the United States in 1942. Kelsey has ranked as high as #60 nationally which occurred in 1992 and has been most popular in Texas, California, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Kelsey has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Kelsey (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 51 | |
| CA | 50 | |
| NY | 41 | |
| FL | 28 | |
| PA | 23 | |
| NC | 17 | |
| OH | 16 | |
| TN | 13 | |
| IL | 12 | |
| VA | 12 | |
| NJ | 11 | |
| MA | 10 | |
| MO | 10 | |
| CO | 9 | |
| SC | 8 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1942 | 5 |
| 1945 | 6 |
| 1946 | 7 |
| 1947 | 8 |
| 1948 | 9 |
| 1949 | 6 |
| 1950 | 10 |
| 1951 | 9 |
| 1952 | 10 |
| 1953 | 18 |
| 1954 | 15 |
| 1955 | 16 |
| 1956 | 12 |
| 1957 | 12 |
| 1958 | 23 |
| 1959 | 15 |
| 1960 | 13 |
| 1961 | 18 |
| 1962 | 19 |
| 1963 | 22 |
| 1964 | 20 |
| 1965 | 16 |
| 1966 | 17 |
| 1967 | 32 |
| 1968 | 24 |
| 1969 | 45 |
| 1970 | 48 |
| 1971 | 71 |
| 1972 | 76 |
| 1973 | 77 |
| 1974 | 88 |
| 1975 | 105 |
| 1976 | 116 |
| 1977 | 144 |
| 1978 | 164 |
| 1979 | 222 |
| 1980 | 308 |
| 1981 | 490 |
| 1982 | 791 |
| 1983 | 1,116 |
| 1984 | 1,555 |
| 1985 | 1,700 |
| 1986 | 2,517 |
| 1987 | 4,574 |
| 1988 | 5,452 |
| 1989 | 9,256 |
| 1990 | 9,494 |
| 1991 | 11,434 |
| 1992 | 11,713 |
| 1993 | 11,379 |
| 1994 | 9,748 |
| 1995 | 8,184 |
| 1996 | 7,655 |
| 1997 | 5,573 |
| 1998 | 5,550 |
| 1999 | 4,400 |
| 2000 | 3,669 |
| 2001 | 3,267 |
| 2002 | 2,883 |
| 2003 | 2,569 |
| 2004 | 2,198 |
| 2005 | 1,960 |
| 2006 | 1,898 |
| 2007 | 1,699 |
| 2008 | 1,716 |
| 2009 | 1,521 |
| 2010 | 1,349 |
| 2011 | 1,266 |
| 2012 | 1,214 |
| 2013 | 1,049 |
| 2014 | 1,017 |
| 2015 | 955 |
| 2016 | 858 |
| 2017 | 788 |
| 2018 | 739 |
| 2019 | 664 |
| 2020 | 572 |
| 2021 | 477 |
| 2022 | 466 |
| 2023 | 444 |
| 2024 | 430 |