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Keely

Girl name · 48 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Keely: 48 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 7 births in 2008.

Keely is primarily a variant of the Irish surname Kelly, itself an anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Ceallaigh, meaning “descendant of Ceallach” – a personal name thought to signify “bright-headed” or “war.” It can also trace back to the Irish word caol, meaning “slender” or “narrow.” Famous bearers include American singer Keely Smith, known for her smooth vocals alongside Louis Prima, and British Olympic runner Keely Hodgkinson, a 800m silver medallist. While Keely itself isn’t tied to a specific place, its parent name Kelly appears