Telly Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Telly is a name of Greek origin, derived from 'Telemachus,' meaning 'far from battle.' It has evolved from ancient Greek to modern English and is often associated with a casual, friendly image linked to television culture. The name does not have biblical significance but gained popularity in the 20th century. Notable individuals bearing the name include actor Telly Savalas and Broadway performer Telly Leung.
The name Telly is most popular in South Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Telly has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Telly' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 984th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4381st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5766th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11081st out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7682nd out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Telly' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Telly"
Pronunciation
/ˈtɛli/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Telly is often considered a diminutive or affectionate form of the name 'Telemachus,' which means 'far from battle' in Greek. It can also be derived from the word 'television,' reflecting a modern interpretation.
Meaning
far from battle
Language Evolution
Telemachus (Greek), Telly (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Telly gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly as a nickname and a name associated with the television culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Tele, Telly-Bear
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Telly is perceived as a casual and friendly name, often associated with media and entertainment due to its connection to television.
Famous People
Telly Savalas, an American actor known for his role in the TV series 'Kojak.', Telly Leung, an American actor and singer known for his work on Broadway.
Explore More Telly Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Telly"
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 "Telly"
"Telly" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 984th of 10718 | 1,079 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4381st of 16616 | 176 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5766th of 24088 | 212 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 11081st of 23106 | 60 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 7682nd of 19264 | 82 |
Regional Popularity of "Telly" 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) |
28.94% 850th/2937 |
36.75% 1280th/3483 |
19.07% 671st/3518 |
45.15% 1826th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Telly" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Telly"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Telly" 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.