Meaning & Origin
A female given name transferred from the surname, variant of Kelly.
Kelli is a girl's and boy's baby name of Irish origin, a variant spelling of Kelly, from the Irish Gaelic Ceallach, meaning 'bright-headed' or 'frequenting churches.' The -i ending was a popular stylistic choice in 1960s and 1970s America.
Kelli carries the same bright, spirited energy as Kelly while the distinctive spelling gives it a more personal identity. It was most popular in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, a staple of an era that loved Irish-inflected names with a cheerful, active feel.