Kelty is a name of Irish origin, derived from the ancient Irish surname "O'Kelly". The O'Kelly clan was one of the most powerful families in Ireland during the medieval period, and they held extensive lands in Connacht, a province in western Ireland.
The meaning behind the name Kelty is not entirely clear, as it is believed to have been an anglicized form of several different Irish names. One possible origin is that it comes from the Irish given name "Caoilfhionn", which means "fair-haired". Another possibility is that it is derived from the Irish surname "Ó Ceallaigh", which means "descendant of Ceallach".
Despite its Irish origins, Kelty has also been adopted by other cultures. In Scotland, for example, there is a village named Kelty in Fife, and it is believed that this place name may have influenced the use of Kelty as a given name.
Kelty was first recorded as a given name in Scotland during the 17th century, but its use has been relatively rare throughout history. Today, however, Kelty is gaining popularity as a unisex name, although it is still more commonly used for girls than boys.
In terms of famous people with the name Kelty, one notable example is American actress Kelty Reilly, who was born in 1985 and has appeared in several films and television shows. Overall, while Kelty may not be as well-known as some other names of Irish origin, it has a rich history and an intriguing meaning that makes it worth considering for parents looking for a unique name for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Kelty has experienced a varied degree of popularity over time in the United States. Between 1986 and 2018, there were a total of 144 babies named Kelty born in the U.S.
The earliest data point is from 1986 with 6 births, indicating that Kelty was given to at least some children during this period. However, popularity fluctuated significantly over the years:
* In 1995 and 2017, only 5 babies were named Kelty each year.
* The name saw a spike in popularity between 2006 and 2010, with at least 7 births each year during this period. Notably, there were 13 births in 2010 alone.
* After peaking in 2010, the number of babies named Kelty began to decrease again, with 7 births each year from 2011 to 2016.
* There was a slight increase in popularity in recent years, with 8 births in 2014 and 6 births each in 2016 and 2018.
These statistics demonstrate that while Kelty has not been one of the most popular names in the U.S., it has maintained a consistent presence over several decades. Parents have chosen this name for their children at varying rates throughout these years, with no clear trend indicating steady increase or decline.