Keeley Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Keeley originates from the Irish surname 'Ó Caollaidhe', meaning 'descendant of Caollaidhe', which translates to 'slender' or 'narrow'. The name has evolved through historical forms like 'Caollaidhe' and 'Ó Caollaidhe' to become Keeley. It has gained popularity in recent decades, reflecting a modern and youthful image. The name has no biblical relevance, and notable individuals like Keeley Hawes and Keeley Smith contribute to its recognition.
The name Keeley is most popular in Tennessee, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Keeley has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Keeley' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7460th out of 10718 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 15718th out of 24088 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4692nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2663rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1567th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1146th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1933rd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Keeley' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Keeley"
Pronunciation
/ˈkiːli/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
Keeley is derived from the Irish surname 'Ó Caollaidhe', meaning 'descendant of Caollaidhe', where 'Caollaidhe' is a diminutive form of 'caol', meaning 'slender' or 'slim'.
Meaning
slender, narrow
Language Evolution
Caollaidhe, Ó Caollaidhe, Keeley
Historical Usage
Keeley has been used as a given name since the late 20th century, gaining popularity in English-speaking countries due to its appealing sound and connection to Irish heritage.
Variants & Derivatives
Keely, Kaili, Kylie
Modern Popularity & Image
Keeley is perceived as a modern and trendy name, often associated with a youthful and vibrant personality.
Famous People
Keeley Hawes (British actress), Keeley Smith (American jazz singer)
Explore More Keeley Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Keeley"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Keeley"
"Keeley" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7460th of 10718 | 22 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 15718th of 24088 | 27 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4692nd of 12526 | 134 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2663rd of 19264 | 451 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1567th of 27321 | 1,454 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1146th of 35406 | 3,264 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1933rd of 30306 | 1,253 |
Regional Popularity of "Keeley" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Keeley" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
100.00% 2937th/2937 |
- |
72.85% 2563rd/3518 |
94.04% 3803rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
39.81% 1467th/3685 |
63.20% 2828th/4475 |
33.65% 1748th/5194 |
29.52% 1865th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
20.06% 919th/4582 |
32.47% 1677th/5164 |
15.62% 1142nd/7313 |
17.79% 1328th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
39.96% 1592nd/3984 |
50.39% 2261st/4487 |
30.58% 2086th/6822 |
42.91% 2693rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Keeley"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Keeley" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.