Names / Kelly
Is Kelly a first name or a last name?
Kelly is both: a family name in some places and a given name in others. It is mostly a family name in Ireland and Australia.
How to address someone called Kelly
- United States. Kelly is used both ways: about 267,394 people had it as a surname in the 2010 census, and 544,894 babies born between 1950 and 2017 were given it as a first name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- United Kingdom. Kelly is used both ways: 75% of people from the United Kingdom with this name in our data carry it as a family name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- Canada. Kelly is used both ways: 49% of people from Canada with this name in our data carry it as a family name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- Ireland. Kelly is a family name, usually written last. Write Dear Mr. Kelly or Dear Ms. Kelly.
Not sure which part of a full name is which? Check the full name with the country where the person is based.
Kelly by country
People recorded in Wikidata who carry Kelly as a family name or as a given name, by country of citizenship (2,602 in total).
| Country | As family name | As given name | Family name share |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 714 | 537 | 57% |
| United Kingdom | 277 | 92 | 75% |
| Canada | 114 | 120 | 49% |
| Ireland | 180 | 17 | 91% |
| Australia | 141 | 31 | 82% |
| New Zealand | 52 | 30 | 63% |
| France | 6 | 24 | 20% |
| Netherlands | 7 | 20 | 26% |
| Peru | 0 | 23 | 0% |
| Brazil | 1 | 21 | 5% |
Wikidata covers notable people, so counts show how the name is used, not how many people carry it.
Kelly in the United States
- As a surname: about 267,394 people in the 2010 census, rank 74 among US surnames.
- As a first name: 544,894 babies born between 1950 and 2017, 86% of them girls.
Kelly as a given name: men or women?
About 72% of people with Kelly as a given name in Wikidata are women, and 86% of US babies given the name. This describes the name, not any one person: it is not a safe basis for Mr. or Ms., and the full name without a title is always polite.
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