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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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Dussa · 27/01/2024 22:43

In a similar vein, a work colleague has called her new baby Kim, I thought how lovely that is

jimbort · 27/01/2024 22:41

I love it, have only ever known lovely Kelly's

Halfbakedbrisket · 27/01/2024 22:41

wellingtonsandwaffles · 27/01/2024 22:39

I really don’t like it - sounds dated and strong stereotype associations.

how about, similar:

  • Carey (ie Mulligan)
  • Nelly (nn for Eleanor)
  • Charis / Carys
  • Callie (could do Caroline full)
  • Chloe
  • Cleo

I think Kelly is better than all these suggestions.

snowgal · 27/01/2024 22:41

I like it, I think it's popularity in the 80s is far away enough for it to be a cool and pretty name now!

wellingtonsandwaffles · 27/01/2024 22:39

I really don’t like it - sounds dated and strong stereotype associations.

how about, similar:

  • Carey (ie Mulligan)
  • Nelly (nn for Eleanor)
  • Charis / Carys
  • Callie (could do Caroline full)
  • Chloe
  • Cleo
Tel12 · 27/01/2024 22:38

I like it. Would be a good choice.

theduchessofspork · 27/01/2024 22:38

catagoryA · 27/01/2024 22:00

its fine! have you thought about Kayleigh?

Dear god..

theduchessofspork · 27/01/2024 22:38

Persianterrier · 27/01/2024 22:00

Hahaha... the depths of 1978! Is it too dated ?!

It is dated OP, and clunky and low rent

Ikeameatballs · 27/01/2024 22:37

I think it could work but, although I knew girls called it in the 80s, I thought you were going to say you were considering it for a DS rather than a DD. I think now I could see it being part of the surname as first name trend along with eg Sawyer

Iwantamarshmallowman · 27/01/2024 22:37

I just can't get past the Kelly's I knew at school.. all idiots.

ChocoChocoLatte · 27/01/2024 22:36

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 - both total cows

Dmsandfloatydress · 27/01/2024 22:35

Are you in the UK? It was considered a down market name in 1978 and now you have the R Kelly connotations. Please don't

AnOldCynic · 27/01/2024 22:35

catagoryA · 27/01/2024 22:00

its fine! have you thought about Kayleigh?

Ooh, no.

Kelly I think of as a surname. Kellie?

I see a curly, long haired windswept tomboy with a twinkle in her eye...

lottiegarbanzo · 27/01/2024 22:33

Horrible, sorry.

Kerry and Carrie are nice names.

KohlaParasaurus · 27/01/2024 22:32

I can't think of a Kelly I haven't liked. However, it rhymes with smelly.

orangegato · 27/01/2024 22:31

catagoryA · 27/01/2024 22:00

its fine! have you thought about Kayleigh?

Kelly is awful but Kayleigh?? Nopity nope. I’d be gutted being called either.

Thinkbiglittleone · 27/01/2024 22:29

Not my cup of tea.

DillDanding · 27/01/2024 22:28

When I was growing up in the 70s and 80s, Kelly was from the rough side of town and was probably the local bully.

I still think it’s a naff name.

KezzabellaB · 27/01/2024 22:27

I like it!

Halfbakedbrisket · 27/01/2024 22:25

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.

This child won't be in school until 2028.

That's like saying in the 1990s, don't use names like Sue and Barbara from the 50s and 60s because they smoke and wore beehives.

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.

Halfbakedbrisket · 27/01/2024 22:22

Kelly is an ancient name with a long history as a surname and I imagine that famous stars such as Grace Kelly and Gene Kelly brought it to public attention originally. Stick with what you like.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_(surname)

Given as a first name

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_(given_name)

Kelly (surname) - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_(surname)

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.

miniaturepixieonacid · 27/01/2024 22:19

Tbh, it's one of very few names I've always really disliked. Partly because it seemed to be the name of quite a lot of the girls I was scared of at school and partly because it makes me think of belly and smelly. In my head it was always a naughty girl name but that was just my personal experience. It would be quite a fresh name now but I don't think it has a pleasant sound.

Similar names that I think are a lot nicer:
Abbie, Amy, Bryony, Callie, Casey, Chloe, Cassidy, Darcey, Everly, Ebony, Gracie, Hayley, India, Jasmine, Jodie, Kayleigh, Kenzie, Lexi, Lacey, Leonie, Leah, Millie, Melody, Madison, Nicole, Poppy, Ruby, Scarlett, Sadie, Sylvie, Sienna, Taylor, Tilly, Willow, Zoe.

maddiemookins16mum · 27/01/2024 22:15

No no no. Awful name. If you want to go back to 1983 then Jessica, Nicola and Katie are much nicer.