Kelsey
Kelsey: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkɛlsi/
Meaning and origin of Kelsey
Root meaning: “ship”
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname.
- A female given name transferred from the surname, popular in the 1990s.
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English cēol (“ship”) + siġe (“victory”).
How popular is Kelsey?
Since 1880, 150,416 girls and 5,322 boys in the U.S. have been named Kelsey (97% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #23 in 1992. Its highest rank for boys was #631 in 1989. In 2025 it ranked #814 for girls, with 349 babies given the name.
Names similar to Kelsey
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English girl names
Sibling name ideas for Kelsey
Sister and brother names that share Kelsey's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Kelsey FAQ
What does the name Kelsey mean?
Kelsey traces back to a root meaning "ship". A unisex given name transferred from the surname. A female given name transferred from the surname, popular in the 1990s. A male given name transferred from the surname. From Old English cēol (“ship”) + siġe (“victory”).
What is the origin of the name Kelsey?
Kelsey is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Kelsey?
Since 1880, 150,416 girls and 5,322 boys in the U.S. have been named Kelsey (97% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #23 in 1992. Its highest rank for boys was #631 in 1989. In 2025 it ranked #814 for girls, with 349 babies given the name.
Is Kelsey a boy or girl name?
Kelsey is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 150,416 girls and 5,322 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.