- 7,005
- people in the U.S. have this name Get contact details for people named Michael Kelly
Meaning & Origins
English form of a common biblical name (meaning ‘who is like God?’ in Hebrew) borne by one of the archangels, the protector of the ancient Hebrews, who is also regarded as a saint of the Catholic Church. In the Middle Ages, Michael was regarded as captain of the heavenly host (see Revelation 12:7–9), symbol of the Church Militant, and patron of soldiers. He was often depicted bearing a flaming sword. The name is also borne by a Persian prince and ally of Belshazzar mentioned in the Book of Daniel. Since the early 1900s it has been one of the most enduringly popular boys' names in the English-speaking world. See also Michal.
| 2nd in the U.S. for 2011 |
Irish: Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Ceallaigh ‘descendant of Ceallach’, an ancient Irish personal name, originally a byname meaning ‘bright-headed’, later understood as ‘frequenting churches’ (Irish ceall). There are several early Irish saints who bore this name. Kelly is now the most common of all Irish family names in Ireland.
| 68th in the U.S. for 2011 |
Nicknames & variations
Mike, Myke, Micha, Micheal, Mikeal, Mykael, Micky, Michel
Kelley, Keller, Kellogg, Kelleher, Kellum, Kell, Kellar, Kellner, Kellam, Keel
Top state populations
U.S. Distribution Map
