Kelii
A boy's name of Hawaiian origin with 261 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 5 letters and two syllables, Kelii hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1973, with 261 total recorded births.
Kelii is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Kelii is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Kelii is a boy's baby name of Hawaiian origin, from the Hawaiian word meaning 'the chief' or 'royalty,' derived from ke (the) and alii (chief, royalty). In Hawaiian culture, ali'i were the noble class who governed the islands, and names invoking that heritage carry deep cultural significance.
Kelii is both a name and a declaration — a connection to Hawaiian royal lineage and the values of leadership, nobility, and cultural pride.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Kelii's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Kelii softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Kelii's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kelii has 36+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1973.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 11 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 25 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 58 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 71 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 52 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 44 | — |
The Story of Kelii
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Kelii is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Kelii are most likely born between 1980 and 2000.
How rare is Kelii?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kelii is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1973, peaked in the 1990s with 71 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Kelii by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(36 years, 1973–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | #11561 |
| 2022 | 5 | #13361 |
| 2015 | 7 | #10123 |
| 2014 | 5 | #13111 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11599 |
| 2010 | 7 | #10247 |
| 2009 | 6 | #11763 |
| 2008 | 5 | #13629 |
| 2007 | 8 | #9358 |
| 2006 | 8 | #9172 |
| 2005 | 5 | #12441 |
| 2004 | 5 | #12341 |
| 2002 | 6 | #10078 |
| 2001 | 10 | #6720 |
| 2000 | 5 | #11337 |
| 1999 | 8 | #7529 |
| 1998 | 6 | #9089 |
| 1997 | 9 | #6381 |
| 1996 | 12 | #5043 |
| 1995 | 5 | #9624 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kelii a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kelii most popular?
How popular is the name Kelii?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1973–2023