girls' name · peaked 1970

Kelli

A female given name transferred from the surname, variant of Kelly.

Every Kelli since 1945 — 75,192 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.631.251.882.518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#6,690
among girls
Babies in 2025
17
named Kelli
Peak year
1970
3,344 babies
All-time total
75,192
since 1945

The story of Kelli

Kelli is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,690 in 2025 with 17 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1945, 75,192 American babies have been named Kelli. Its peak came in 1970, when 3,344 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kelli stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Kelli year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 17 #6,690
2024 15 #7,420
2023 22 #5,651
2022 24 #5,399
2021 23 #5,481
2020 32 #4,315
2019 39 #3,824
2018 37 #3,967
2017 30 #4,633
2016 40 #3,819
2015 41 #3,734
2014 52 #3,164
2013 42 #3,672
2012 66 #2,696
2011 67 #2,650
2010 76 #2,465
2009 98 #2,082
2008 118 #1,833
2007 129 #1,699
2006 152 #1,464
2005 194 #1,187
2004 260 #927
2003 320 #776
2002 368 #682
2001 448 #573
2000 483 #538
1995 923 #301
1990 1,605 #182 11 #4,849
1985 2,059 #142 10 #4,211
1980 2,486 #125 16 #2,894
1975 1,768 #152 10 #3,550
1970 3,331 #115 13 #2,683
1965 1,538 #215 7 #3,408
1960 955 #301
1955 94 #1,038
1950 8 #4,143
1945 5 #4,902
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Kelli

  1. Kelli Williams Actor · b. 1970
  2. Kelli McCarty Actor · b. 1969
  3. Kelli Garner Actor · b. 1984
  4. Kelli Giddish Actor · b. 1980
  5. Kelli Berglund Actor · b. 1996

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Kelli mean?

A female given name transferred from the surname, variant of Kelly.

How popular is the name Kelli in 2025?

Kelli ranked #6,690 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 17 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Kelli?

75,192 babies have been named Kelli in the United States since 1945, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Kelli most popular?

Kelli peaked in 1970, when 3,344 newborns received the name.

Is Kelli a boy or girl name?

Kelli is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Kelli rising or falling?

Kelli is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Kelli?

Well-known people named Kelli include Kelli Williams (actor), Kelli McCarty (actor), Kelli Garner (actor).

Names like Kelli

Compare Kelli with similar names →