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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 :)

OP posts:
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Charliecatpaws · 28/01/2024 00:21

I like it, I know a Kelly born about 1976, she's a force of nature, lovely person, very hard working - that's who I think about when I hear the name Kelly

GaryBerrycloth · 28/01/2024 00:16

I like it, do you?

GaroTheMushroom · 27/01/2024 23:29

Horrid

noooooooo · 27/01/2024 23:24

Build a Time Machine and ask around in 2039? Honestly, I like it for a boy, slightly less so for a girl, but I’d rather have a little Kelly kicking about than lots of names that are ubiquitous right now, might as well be ‘Girl Child No. 7654 in 2024’ - if you like it, do it. Also sensing a bit of classism in some of these comments, ngl.

LollyPopLouie · 27/01/2024 23:19

Keely is nicer.

DinaofCloud9 · 27/01/2024 23:08

I think it's nice but I do prefer it for a boy. I love it as a boys name.

dontdillydallytoolong · 27/01/2024 23:08

Sorry, but I think it is really dated. As a previous poster said, it is very 1970s.

Halfbakedbrisket · 27/01/2024 23:02

Kelly was a popular name in the 1970s, as a result if you look at the list of well known women named Kelly on Wikipedia they run the gamut from diplomat, politician, sportswoman to famous actresses, singers and models. Op, I wouldn't discard a name because someone didn't like a girl called Kelly in her class in 1985 🙄

A famous Kelly
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Macdonald

Kelly Macdonald - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Macdonald

Heather37231 · 27/01/2024 23:02

I like it for a boy.

PrawnDumplings · 27/01/2024 22:57

I prefer Chloe, Sylvie, Holly, Ellie, Lilly.

PrawnDumplings · 27/01/2024 22:55

NannyR · 27/01/2024 22:54

I quite like it, I love Kirsty as well.

Ooo yes I like Kirsty.

MessyRaptor · 27/01/2024 22:55

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.

Never has a comment on mn resonated with me more than this one.
Don't do it OP.

PrawnDumplings · 27/01/2024 22:55

I think it's quite cute.
But yes quite 70's/80's.
It will get shortened to Kel though. And possibly Smell / Smelly.
All the Kelly / Kellies I know are lovely.

NannyR · 27/01/2024 22:54

I quite like it, I love Kirsty as well.

MaynardGMuskyvote · 27/01/2024 22:53

I think it’s lovely 😊

Hols24 · 27/01/2024 22:51

I used to work with a lovely Kelly so it has positive connotations for me 🙂 Also Kelly McGillis in Top Gun.

If you do use it, other kids her age won't have any preconceptions of the name as she'll probably be the only one they know.

PrawnDumplings · 27/01/2024 22:51

catagoryA · 27/01/2024 22:00

its fine! have you thought about Kayleigh?

Please no.

bradpittsbathwater · 27/01/2024 22:50

It's nice. Better than Olivia, Emily or Florence.

snowgal · 27/01/2024 22:50

Well said!

SallyWD · 27/01/2024 22:47

I was a child in the 70s and 80s and Kelly was popular then. Even at the time I didn't like it at all. It wasn't ever a classy name (apologies to anyone called Kelly).

Darkenergy · 27/01/2024 22:47

Trouble is on here you're getting the opinions (mostly) of people of a certain generation or two. Your child will grow up in a much later one where the connotations won't be the same - certainly not to their peers, and probably not to anyone born after 1995. In fact it could well be cool again by the time your dd is an adult, by which time us mumsnetters here will be firmly irrelevant.

Also my daughter is in reception with a Debbie (really) and it's just their name now.

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 .

Onelife2024 · 27/01/2024 22:45

Sorry op, I’m another one who dislikes Kelly. Other ideas -

Chloe
Kerry
Callie
Carrie
Clare
Clara
Cleo

salamithumbs · 27/01/2024 22:43

I don't really like it, I know so many people with the surname Kelly so it sounds more surnamey to me! Prefer Callie

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 27/01/2024 22:43

I opened this thread intending to say 'ooh, no, not Kelly, what a horrible name,' but the more I've thought about it (and a bloke I knew who was just called Kell and was lovely) - I don't think it's that bad.