The name Kelsey is a boy's name of English origin meaning "Cenel's island".

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Kelsey (ex-Frasier) Grammer is a famous male bearer, although most modern Kelseys are female (in the US at least). It derives from several English place names, possibly meaning "Cenel's island", from the Old English name Cenel "fierce".

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Kelsey

English

The name Kelsey is currently ranked #929 in U.S. births. and peaked for boys at #631 in 1989. It is currently rising in popularity. The name is most popular in KELSEY. Kelsey is also used for girls, ranking #814 in 2025 (more popular).

The name Kelsey is a girl's name of English origin meaning "Cenel's island".

Names that Peaked in 1992

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Yesterday's hottie, today's mom name. Kelsey derives from several English place names and may mean "Cenel's island", from the Old English name Cenel "fierce".
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Kelsey entered the Top 1000 in the late 70s and peaked in the early 90s. Though it's been on a long downward slide since then, it still ranks in the Top 1000, probably as the longtime favorite name of a lot of today's new moms. Though far from stylish, Kelsey has a sleek-but-warm appeal.

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Nameberry

England

The name Kelsey is currently ranked #814 in U.S. births. and peaked for girls at #23 in 1992. The name is most popular in KELSEY, KELSEY, and KELSEY. Kelsey is occasionally used for boys in 2025.

Year	US rank	Births	Per million
2014	#4,779	20	10.4
2015	—	0	0
2016	—	0	0
2017	—	0	0
2018	—	0	0
2019	—	0	0
2020	—	0	0
2021	—	0	0
2022	#4,506	23	13.2
2023	—	0	0
2024	—	0	0
2025	—	0	0

Kelsey

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