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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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caitlinrose · 27/11/2022 18:28

I like Keeley.

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

JamSandle · 27/11/2022 18:28

Ramble0n · 27/11/2022 18:27

What does down market even mean?

I think they're meaning it sounds 'low class' which is telling...

Ramble0n · 27/11/2022 18:27

What does down market even mean?

Comedycook · 27/11/2022 18:23

Dated and a bit down-market. You did ask....

DuchessOfSausage · 27/11/2022 18:22

I think the name is OK for the actress, but it wasn't her original name.
The fact that the actress is beautiful probably makes the name seem nicer than it is.
I never saw the appeal of the name Darcey, again not her original name, but she is beautiful.

I think Kayleigh is a 1980s song-inspired name. It's a nice sound but seems dated, and I'm not keen on the -leigh ending.

UsingChangeofName · 27/11/2022 18:22

I'm not particularly keen on the name, but I would spell it Keeley if you are using it.

StopStartStop · 27/11/2022 18:22

Never. Never.

fairycupcakes · 27/11/2022 18:17

Keeley - but I don’t like it at all. I also don’t like Kayleigh. Sorry. And sorry to say I do find them really quite common sounding rather than dated. The kind of name you’d hear screeched by a mother in a supermarket 🤷🏼‍♀️

FurryDandelionSeekingMissile · 27/11/2022 18:16

I was born in the 80s, and among girls around my age, I knew at least three Keeleys, two Kellys, a Kylie and a couple of Kayleighs (all with various spellings). It's a cluster of names that really scream that era/age group to me, along with the slightly more conventional Sarahs, Rebeccas, Amys, Rachaels/Rachels, Emmas and Gemmas (those last two usually with the middle name Louise). But… so what? Most names have peaks and troughs of popularity. If I meet a thirty year old Christine or Julie I might for a moment be surprised that she's younger than I expected, but that's all.

midsomermurderess · 27/11/2022 18:09

Keeley Hawes, born Claire. Ordinary background, council estate, dad a cabbie. It’s all about perception.

notnowB · 27/11/2022 18:08

Flooper · 27/11/2022 17:44

You'd swear there was something wrong with being a hairdresser or a beautician. So many on MN are obsessed with class and desperately hope people will mistake them for being a drawer above the drawer they're actually in.

I'd go for Keeley as in the fabulous Keeley Hawes.

Well said! Like there's anything wrong with being a hairdresser from Essex Hmm
Anyway, I'm not mad on the name as it reminds me of Heely. The shoes on wheels that my kids were obsessed with for some time.

Marcipex · 27/11/2022 18:05

I’m not mad on it and I do think it’s very dated.
I can’t stand Aurora either so I’m not sure what drawer that puts me in.

TrashyPanda · 27/11/2022 18:01

Being described as a Glasgow Keelie is not a compliment…

Pieceofpurplesky · 27/11/2022 18:01

ReadtheReviews · 27/11/2022 17:45

I once wanted to change my name and a bf suggested Keeley. I was not amused. It seems very made up/surname/silly to me, just a meaningless girly noise.

Wow. Rude.

PritiPatelsMaker · 27/11/2022 18:01

I prefer Keeley just because I'd probably misread Keely as Kelly.

DuchessOfSausage · 27/11/2022 18:00

I thought it originated from the Marillion song.

RuthW · 27/11/2022 18:00

Keeley. Not my choice but a perfectly reasonable name. Go for it. It's better than all the Evies, Isabelles, Avas around nowdays.

JamSandle · 27/11/2022 17:59

DuchessOfSausage · 27/11/2022 17:54

Also really like Kayleigh. It's soft and pretty and means dance in Irish.
I think you mean Céilí

Kayleigh is a modernised spelling but it does originate from Ceili yes, which also makes a beautifully spelt name.

RandomMusings7 · 27/11/2022 17:58

Sorry, not keeney...

DuchessOfSausage · 27/11/2022 17:54

Also really like Kayleigh. It's soft and pretty and means dance in Irish.
I think you mean Céilí

JamSandle · 27/11/2022 17:50

Flooper · 27/11/2022 17:44

You'd swear there was something wrong with being a hairdresser or a beautician. So many on MN are obsessed with class and desperately hope people will mistake them for being a drawer above the drawer they're actually in.

I'd go for Keeley as in the fabulous Keeley Hawes.

It's very rude and stereotypical isn't it?

Rockmehardplace · 27/11/2022 17:49

keeley

CoffeeBeansGalore · 27/11/2022 17:46

I've known 2 Keeley's. Not Keely.
Always liked Kayleigh but didn't go well with our surname.
How about Kellsey?

ReadtheReviews · 27/11/2022 17:45

I once wanted to change my name and a bf suggested Keeley. I was not amused. It seems very made up/surname/silly to me, just a meaningless girly noise.

Flooper · 27/11/2022 17:44

You'd swear there was something wrong with being a hairdresser or a beautician. So many on MN are obsessed with class and desperately hope people will mistake them for being a drawer above the drawer they're actually in.

I'd go for Keeley as in the fabulous Keeley Hawes.

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