Connelly is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Ó Conghalaigh. The name is believed to have originated in County Mayo, Ireland, and was likely borne by a chieftain or leader of a sept, a hereditary group of families that shared a common ancestor.
The meaning behind the name Connelly is not entirely clear, but it is thought to be derived from the Gaelic words "con" meaning "wisdom" or "intelligence," and "ceallaigh" which means "strife" or "contention." Therefore, some interpret the name Connelly to mean "wise in strife" or "intelligent warrior."
The history of the Connelly surname can be traced back to ancient Ireland. The Ó Conghalaigh sept was one of the many ruling families of the ancient Irish kingdoms. They were known as a powerful and influential family, with their territory centered around the area now known as County Mayo.
Over time, the spelling of the name evolved from its original Gaelic form, Ó Conghalaigh, to various English versions such as Connelly, Conolly, and even Connolly. Today, Connelly is found throughout the world, particularly in countries with significant Irish immigrant populations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
In summary, Connelly is an Irish surname of ancient origin, derived from the Gaelic name Ó Conghalaigh. Its meaning is open to interpretation but is thought to relate to wisdom or intelligence in the context of strife or contention. Throughout history, the Connelly family has been a prominent and influential one in Ireland, with their legacy carried on by descendants worldwide today.
The given statistics illustrate the popularity of the name Connelly in the United States over a span of nearly three decades, from 1992 to 2020.
Starting with five births in 1992, the number of babies named Connelly varied year by year. There were peak years where more than ten babies received this name, such as in 2008 with ten births and again in 2020 with twelve births. However, there were also periods when the number of newborns named Connelly decreased, with five births being recorded in several years including 1992, 1996, 2002, 2009, and 2019.
Overall, throughout these three decades, a total of 117 babies were given the name Connelly at birth in the United States. This data shows that while the popularity of this name has fluctuated over time, it has consistently been chosen for newborns across multiple years.