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Kelli

Girl name · 52 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kelli: 52 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 6 births in 1982.

A modern spelling of the classic Kelly, Kelli shares the same Irish and Scottish Gaelic root, derived from *Ceallach*, meaning “bright-headed” or “warrior”. One of the most recognisable bearers is Kelli Giddish, the American actress beloved for her role as Detective Amanda Rollins on *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*, while Kelli Williams has also made her mark as a television actress and director. The name’s ancestral form, Kelly, is famously woven into the geography of both Ireland and Scotland – think of the River Kelly in Renfrewshire and the countless villages named Kelly across the British Isles. This particular spelling, with an “i”, saw a surge in popularity across the English-speaking world during the 1970s and 80s, offering a slightly softer, more feminine twist on a surname