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Baby names

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

Original poster

Kelly - Opinions please

142 replies

Persianterrier · 27/01/2024 21:57

DD due in a month and Kelly is one we both agree.

Honest opinions please :)

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CombatBarbie · 04/02/2024 22:25

SulkingSeagull · 04/02/2024 19:53

I’m a Kelly and I’ve always liked my name. Never met another Kelly.

At school it would only get shortened to Kell or sometimes Kelly Belly/Jelly/Welly - this was always said in an affectionate and friendly way and I was never bothered by it.

Autocorrect will always call me jelly 😂😂

SulkingSeagull · 04/02/2024 19:53

I’m a Kelly and I’ve always liked my name. Never met another Kelly.

At school it would only get shortened to Kell or sometimes Kelly Belly/Jelly/Welly - this was always said in an affectionate and friendly way and I was never bothered by it.

Ellemeg82 · 04/02/2024 19:30

It's a name you don't hear much these days. I was born in 82 and went to school in the late 80s/90s with lots of Kelly's.
I think alot of those 80s/90s names of girls I went to school with are no longer used such as Laura, Sarah, Nicola, Natalie, Kelly, Lindsey, Lisa.
Personally I think it's a nice name and makes a nice change from the Lilly-Maes and Isla's that are everywhere now!

Derrymum123 · 04/02/2024 19:23

It is a lovely name. Go with what you like.

CombatBarbie · 04/02/2024 19:15

Beachcome · 27/01/2024 22:46

My name is Kelly, spelt differently though, and I was born in the 70’s. The name can also be spelt Kellie, Kelley and Kelleigh.

However, what a load of absolutely nasty comments on this thread! It’s a name, just a name and yet so many of you claim that every Kelly you have known was awful, a bully, low rent, it rhymes with smelly (never been called that), the name is horrible and cheap etc.

Seriously people, the OP likes the name and so many of you have trashed it back in her face. It’s fine not to like a name, but to be so nasty - it’s not on. And it’s not just because it’s my name - you see these sort of comments spouted on here daily. Just try and be tactful and not nasty - plenty of people might not like your DC’s names either .

I'd barely read the comments before I commented, but I agree, vipers are out in force..... Never associated Kelly Brook as a bully or tramp or whatever other vile connotations have been mentioned.... And I don't possess those traits either.

CombatBarbie · 04/02/2024 19:13

Erm my name 👌 and I don't think it's dated per se..... I only know 2 others 😏 common in American as a boys name

mponder · 04/02/2024 17:33

I grew up with 2 Kelly's. One lovely one really nasty 🤷‍♀️

It's best to give options on the name but it's easy done to compare them to people we know.

Ifeelsolow247 · 04/02/2024 17:25

I love it. I know two under 5.

AstorianPlease · 04/02/2024 16:51

My name is Kelly born in 94 and I don't even like hairspray Grin

I guess everyone has someone with a name they don't like but I wasn't a bully, I'm in training to be a mental health nurse and all the other Kelly's/Kelly-Anns I've met have been lovely. I think it was quite common from the 70s to the 90s as I've met quite a few!

With the names they come out with nowadays it probably will seem a bit unusual when she's older but if you like it then who cares.

rc22 · 04/02/2024 16:42

Very dated. I prefer Kerry and I have always really liked the name Kelsey but they're also very dated so wouldn't use them.

KezzabellaB · 04/02/2024 15:40

One of my best friends is called Kelly and she's lovely.
Mind you, the name does also make me think of Saved by the Bell and Kelly Kapowski! 😂

Kelsie78 · 03/02/2024 07:44

If you put a name to a personality and chose not to like it because of that personality then there would be no names left to choose from. I knew a Sarah that stole from me, a Clare that took drugs, a Laura that slept about, a Rachel that farted in class. Does that mean you got to hate the name. This is more a character assassination for all those named Kelly. Sounds to me like all those that are very forward in saying that all Kelly's were typical of a certain crap behaviour should look at the way they are acting on here and ask themselves if they are bullies themselves.

Toomuchgoingon79 · 03/02/2024 07:26

I knew a nice Kelly at school and a horrible Kelly I worked with. Unfortunately the horrible Kelly has tainted the name for me.

crampycrumpet · 03/02/2024 06:55

TheaBrandt · 27/01/2024 22:22

Really bad associations. At school in the 90s Kelly smoked wore lots of hair spray and would beat you up if you were square and looked at her funny.

💯

crampycrumpet · 03/02/2024 06:52

It's the female equivalent of gary of kevin

Let the name die out

Justfinking · 03/02/2024 06:34

catagoryA · 27/01/2024 22:00

its fine! have you thought about Kayleigh?

Don't like it at all, but like this or Caisey? Or Cassie?

thefallen · 03/02/2024 06:20

WishesPromises · 27/01/2024 22:21

I've known two Kelly's and neither had any of the attributes, ambitions or accomplishments I'd hope for in a daughter.

Same. I've never known a nice Kelly. They were always hard and nasty.

Beebopp · 03/02/2024 05:49

My name is Kelly 😅 I’m 33 and have always loved my name. I don’t think anyone would describe me as a school bully and I do think that there is a lot of snobbery in mumsnet opinions on names.

If Kelly wasn’t my name then I’d have considered it for either of my girls - I love how it sounds and think it would be refreshing at the moment.

Don’t let mumsnet opinions put you off as I do think they are mostly from a certain demographic sometimes.

Namechangesab · 31/01/2024 15:45

theduchessofspork · 27/01/2024 22:38

Dear god..

Show quote history

I'm now listening to the Marillion song Kayleigh 😆

OP the multiple Kellys in my class at school were horrible (I'm 39 for context). I do have a close friend called Kelly but she goes by a nickname. Phonetically it doesn't sound too bad but I just can't imagine a baby Kelly

Peccary · 31/01/2024 15:24

I only know nice Kellys ranging in age from 30 to 50. Definitely no school bully types among them.

I think it's fine and not that different in sound from the abundant Ellie/Millie/Molly/Lilys in my 6yo's school

onlythebrave3 · 28/01/2024 23:15

I went to University with a Kelly from south Wales. She was a lovely and kind person. It's a pretty name, I'd think how refreshing and pretty a baby Kelly was.

Wictc · 28/01/2024 22:50

ginasevern · 28/01/2024 11:27

Not keen on Kelly but prefer it for a boy. How about Ceri (the Welsh version of Kerry)?

Ceri has always been a male name in my family.

Agree with a PP, seems to be always names of Irish origin that are ‘chavy’ - Liam, Conor, etc. Will be interesting to see what happens to all the Orla’s and Niamh’s!!

Mayjune11 · 28/01/2024 22:37

Ooh no it’s right there with Sharon and Tracey as best left in the 80s! Sorry!

BananaSplitsss · 28/01/2024 22:35

LollyPopLouie · 27/01/2024 23:19

Keely is nicer.

That’s awful too

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