Kiely is a unique and charming name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Ó Ceallaigh," which is believed to have been brought to Ireland by the Norsemen during the Viking invasions in the 9th century. The surname translates to "descendant of Ceallach," with Ceallach meaning "bright-headed" or "lively."
The name Kiely has a rich history and is associated with several notable figures throughout Irish history. One such figure was Thomas Kiely, an Irish historian who wrote extensively on the history of County Galway in the late 19th century. Another notable bearer of the name was Patrick Kiely, a politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Fine Gael party from 1982 to 1997.
Despite its historical significance and Irish roots, the name Kiely is not particularly common in Ireland today. However, it has gained some popularity in other English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia. The name Kiely is often associated with creativity and individuality, which may be due to its unique sound and uncommon usage.
Overall, the name Kiely is a charming and distinctive choice that carries a rich history and Irish heritage. Its meaning of "bright-headed" or "lively" adds to its appeal as a name for a child who is expected to grow up with a lively spirit and bright mind.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Kiely in the United States from 1969 to 2023. Over this period, there have been a total of 837 babies named Kiely born in the U.S.
Looking at the data, we can see that the popularity of the name Kiely has fluctuated over time. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, there were relatively few births with this name, with only 5 births recorded in 1969. However, the number of Kiely births began to increase in the late 1970s and early 1980s, reaching a peak of 24 births in 1997.
The highest number of Kiely births occurred between 1997 and 2003, with a total of 256 babies named Kiely born during this period. The years with the most Kiely births were 2002 (with 48 births) and 2000 (with 38 births).
After 2003, there was a decrease in the number of Kiely births, with fewer than 50 births recorded each year from 2004 to 2017. However, there has been some variation in recent years, with peaks of 52 births in 2008 and 29 births in 2007.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate the changing trends in popularity for the name Kiely over time in the United States. While it may not be one of the most common names, there has been a consistent presence of Kiely births each year since 1969.