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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Keeley, Keely

60 replies

hazeleyes94 · 27/11/2022 17:15

Thoughts on Keeley or Keely?

Which spelling looks correct to you?

Is it boring or dated? DH and I seem to always go for names many people consider dated.

Is it better than Kayleigh?

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Billslills · 30/11/2022 11:57

I like Keeley or Kelsey?

Mummyeyes · 30/11/2022 08:16

DuchessOfSausage · 27/11/2022 19:12

@PartyHelp , what is the Irish name?

Cadhla - Kayla
Caol, Caolán, Caoilinn, Caolach, Caoiltiarn, Caoilte - Kyle, Kayle, Keelan, Keelinn, Kayleigh, Keeltarn, Kielty
All mean slender, beautiful. Caolach means a slender tree.

Ceallach, Ceallachán - Kelly, Callahan
Ceallsach - Kelsey
Cillín - Killian
They say this is from cell, like a monastery or convent, but maybe from "ciall" meaning wisdom, sense, thought.

Céile is the Irish for partner. Husband is "fear chéile", wife is "bean chéile", together is "le chéile". A "céilí" is a visit, a gathering, can mean a couple courting or lots of people dancing.

FloresApparuerunt · 29/11/2022 09:24

I had a lovely doctor called Keeley about ten years ago, which definitely endeared the name to me.

On the other hand, there was a girl I hated at school called Keely - and I'm from the north, so it's pronounced more like Keeleh, which I really don't like. It goes along with all the Keeley Kerry Kelly Kayleigh names of the 80s and 90s.

But if you like it, OP, go for it! Have the baby Keeley you wish to see in the world!

mishl · 29/11/2022 09:11

I'm more familiar with the spelling Keely.
To me it sounds a bit shrill and also dated to the 1980s/90s.

Baconand · 29/11/2022 05:17

Definitely Keeley as a spelling.

It isn’t my cup of tea but I don’t absolutely hate it. I don’t like Kayleigh, anything with leigh in it grates on me.

If you like it @hazeleyes94 then use it. My suggestion would be to pick a classic middle name then your DD could choose to use that later. eg Keeley Elizabeth rather than Keeley Mae

shasha21 · 29/11/2022 04:59

To me it’s a school bully name from the 90s

Luredbyapomegranate · 28/11/2022 23:25

THIN

Luredbyapomegranate · 28/11/2022 23:25

garlictwist · 27/11/2022 17:15

It sounds like a hairdresser in an 80s soap.

Yes, I think Keeley is think and Kayleigh is rounder.. but definitely both hairdressers in 1986 Wolverhampton

DramaAlpaca · 28/11/2022 23:20

Both Keeley and Keely are better than Kayleigh. All three I would consider very dated.

If you insist, Keeley is my preferred spelling.

Gingersnappy · 28/11/2022 22:10

I know a Keely, I think I'd go for the Keeley spelling--less likely to be misread as Kelly

BedTaker · 28/11/2022 10:08

Also really like Kayleigh. It's soft and pretty and means dance in Irish.

No it doesn't. Neither does Céilí actually.

I really like Keeley, and Kelly, but I know some people are quite snobbish about the names.

DuchessOfSausage · 28/11/2022 09:57

Thanks, @PartyHelp . I wouldn't have guessed at the spelling.

soulinablackberrypie · 27/11/2022 21:21

I've only ever seen it spelt Keeley and I think I've only ever known one - she was a couple of years younger than me so would now be in her early 50s. I don't think it was ever quite common enough to be associated with a particular age group like maybe Kayleigh is. But to be honest my favourite name with that sort of feel is Kerry.

PartyHelp · 27/11/2022 20:54

DuchessOfSausage · 27/11/2022 19:12

@PartyHelp , what is the Irish name?

It is an anglicized diminutive of the Irish name Ó Caollaidhe which means "beautiful" or "graceful." It was originally a surname but used as a first name.

Maireas · 27/11/2022 20:05

TrashyPanda · 27/11/2022 18:01

Being described as a Glasgow Keelie is not a compliment…

That's what I think of when I hear that name! My family used that term a lot.

Gummibär · 27/11/2022 19:54

I really don't like the sound Keely or Keeley!

SallyWD · 27/11/2022 19:36

It reminds me of being a teenager in the early 90s. The girls who were called Keeley always had bad perms and wore a lot of gold.

Enko · 27/11/2022 19:33

I like Keeley. Ive known two both clever and gorgeous girls.. One is right now studying at an Oxbridge uni.

carbuncleonapigsposterior · 27/11/2022 19:25

Lovely Keeley Hawes was born Claire, Julia, Julia is nice, Claire albeit rather ordinary still sounds better to my ears than Keeley. That name sounds very made up possibly apropos of someone, somewhere mislaying their key whilst out with Lee in a "where did I put my key Lee?" moment.

DuchessOfSausage · 27/11/2022 19:12

@PartyHelp , what is the Irish name?

PartyHelp · 27/11/2022 18:53

Keeley is the English version of and Irish name and means beautiful or graceful. I love it.

Comedycook · 27/11/2022 18:51

My class is irrelevant.

Ramble0n · 27/11/2022 18:45

Comedycook · 27/11/2022 18:30

Surely you know what downmarket means?

Show quote history

You mean a lower class to you?

PritiPatelsMaker · 27/11/2022 18:32

It feels a tiny bit dated because Kelly, Kayleigh, Kelsey and similar names were popular in the past

I met a baby Gemma the other day. Perhaps 80s names are getting popular and the OP is ahead of the curve? Wink

Comedycook · 27/11/2022 18:30

Ramble0n · 27/11/2022 18:27

What does down market even mean?

Surely you know what downmarket means?

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