Kelsey is a given name of English origin, primarily used for girls. Its roots are tied either to an Old English personal name Cēolsiġe meaning "ship's victory" (from cēol "ship" and sīġe "victory") or to a place name in Lincolnshire, England. In the latter case, it derives from the Old English elements cenel "fierce" and eg "island", thus meaning "Cenel's island". It is a transferred use of the surname Kelsey, which originated from those place names. History and Usage Kelsey emerged as a given name in the United States in the late 20th century, peaking in popularity during the 1990s (ranking among the top 50 names for girls). By 2007, it had fallen to the 201st position. It was among the top 100 names for girls born in Scotland in 2007 and also in England and Wales in the late 1990s. As a masculine name, it last appeared on the U.S. top 1000 list for boys in 1996. According to the 1990 U.S. census, Kelsey was the 528th most common female name. Variants Common spelling variants include Kelsea, Kelsi, Kelsie, and Kelcey. These alternative forms reflect phonetic variations that emerged as the name gained widespread use. Cultural Significance The name Kelsey has been borne by a number of athletes and entertainers. Notable bearers include: American actress Kelsey Asbille (born 1991), known for her role in the TV series Yellowstone; American professional wrestler Kelsey Parker; American field hockey player Kelsey Bing; Kelsey Blackwell, an indigenous and genderqueer community organizer; and other athletes such as Kelsey Bone (basketball) and Kelsey Amos (Australian rules football). The name recurs across various fields, suggesting its broad appeal. Meaning: "Cenel's island" or "ship's victory" Origin: English place name and surname Type: Feminine given name, originally masculine but now predominantly feminine Usage: Primarily United States, also used in the UK, Canada, and Australia