Telly

Telly emerged as a nickname for names like Aristotle or Telemakhos, but gained recognition primarily through Greek-American television personality Telly Savalas, famous for his role as Kojak in the 1970s. The name has a distinctive, friendly quality with its approachable sound and modern feel. Despite its association with television (which sometimes serves as a playful reference), Telly has Greek roots and maintains connections to classical naming traditions. It remains relatively uncommon as a formal given name, though it enjoys occasional use in Greek-American communities and among families seeking short, memorable names with cultural significance. Telly's brevity and recognizability make it distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or spell.

Telly is also given to girls.

Pronounced TEL-ee.

As of November 2026, Telly ranked #7585 for girls in US births in 1978 and #13980 for boys in US births in 2024 SSA, peaked at #3627 for girls in 1975 and #469 for boys in 1974.