It could mean "bright-headed," or "strife" or "monastery church" in Irish.
There is a Clan Kelly in Scotland, possibly derived from a toponym Kelloe.
[2] According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Kelly, as a name for a girl, was ranked No.
The feminine name reached two significant peaks, rank No.
[3] In the United Kingdom, it made its way into the top 50 during the 1970s and by 1984 was the 15th most popular feminine first name.