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ETYMOLOGY:
The name "Kellie" was earlier used for girls and pronounced as "Kel-ee". However, over the years a variation of the name has become more popularly and is used for both boys and girls - and it is is "Kelly".

ORIGIN & HISTORY:
Kellie is derived from the Irish word "Ceallaigh" meaning bright-headed and derived to mean brave-warrior. However there are also indications that the word meant "strife", "church-goer". This word was used to indicate descendant of Ceallach and was initially used for males only. However, its later cousin "Kelly" came to used for both boys and girls. The name or its predecessors have been in existence for the last 12 centuries or more.

POPULARITY:
Kellie or Kelly has been very popular and features amongst the top 1000 most popular names in the US since late 19th century. This name is mostly popular in the western countries of Europe and America. In Ireland, the name Kelly is the second most popular name after Murphy.

The name saw a surge after the 50s as parents named their daughters after the famous Hollywood actress and Oscar winner, Grace Kelly. But over the last decade or more it has been dropping steadily in popularity.

FASCINATING FACTS:
There are many references to Kelly in our day-to-day life also. One can remember "Kelly Kettle" or "Kelly's eye" used in bingo to refer to the number one. A color shade is named after this name just as a tool called "hemostat". In Australia, people refer to the belly as "Ned Kelly". Jackson Kelly refers to the Jackson electric guitar made for the famous guitarist Brad Kelly.

The Kelley's Blue Book or KBB is used as a standard reference for buying a car and is named after its founder with the same name.

NAMESAKES:
In the United States, many places use this name like Kelly in Kentucky, North Carolina and Wisconsin, while there is a Kelly Township in Pennsylvania. There is a place called Kelly Basin in Tasmania. Besides TV serials, bands and games have also used this name. All this just shows the popularity of the name.

FAMOUS PERSONS:
Grace Kelly, famous Hollywood actress and Oscar award winner. Gene Kelly, famous Hollywood singer and dancer in MGM musicals. Grace and Gene made "Kelly" famous as a last name and are responsible to some extent for the surge in popularity of this name during the sixties.

Others with this name are Kellie Coffey, American country music singer and songwriter, born April 22 1971. Her debut single 'When You Lie Next to Me' reached the top of the charts. Kellie Martin, American television actress, born in 1975 and best known for her role in 'ER'. Kellie Suttle, American athlete, born in 1973, famous as a pole vaulter. Kellie Pickler, stood 5th in the singing competition on television called "American Idol". Kellie Waymire (1967-2003), an actress who starred in the soap opera, "One Life to Live" and other television shows and movies. Kellie Everts, a female body builder and stripper, featured in "Playboy" Magazine 9 times was born 1945. Kellie Williams, a 3 times nominated actress for the Young Artist Award, stars in a series called "Family Matters" was born in 1976. Kelly Brook, (1979), a UK model turned actress and working in Hollywood. Kelly Clarkson, winner of two Grammy awards. Kelly Jones (1974), the famous Stereophonic's singer.

NAME VARIANTS:
There are numerous variants of the name which are used for men and women alike. Kelli, Kelley, Kellee, Kellianne, Kelleen, Kelleigh, Kellena, Kellye, Kelly, Kellyn, Kelle, Kylie, Kylee, Kyle. Some of the names are merely pronounced differently.

Even though it started off as a last name for males centuries ago, the name is now used for both men and women and is equally popular amongst both.

Learn more about this author, Saurabh Pal.
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