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Ceili as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Ceili

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The baby name Ceili is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced KAY-lee (ˈkeɪli),KEE-lee (ˈkiːli).

Ceili is Irish in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: KAY-lee (ˈkeɪli),KEE-lee (ˈkiːli)

What is the meaning of the name Ceili ?

The baby name Ceili is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced KAY-lee (ˈkeɪli),KEE-lee (ˈkiːli).

Ceili is Irish in Origin.

Ceili (pronounced KAY-lee) is a modern given name drawn from the Irish Gaelic word céilí, denoting a convivial social gathering or dance; the Scottish Gaelic equivalent is cèilidh. The term ultimately traces to Old Irish céile, “companion” or “fellow,” lending the name warm associations of community, music, and hospitality. Used predominantly for girls in the English-speaking world, it carries a lively Celtic flair without being tied to a specific saint or legend.

As a personal name, Ceili emerged in the late 20th century amid interest in Irish traditions and the broader popularity of Kaylee-sounding names. It remains uncommon in Ireland but is recognized in diaspora communities in Britain, Canada, and the United States. Variants and spellings include Céilí (with Irish fadas), Ceilidh (Scottish Gaelic form), Cèilidh (with accents), and the phonetic lookalikes Kaylee, Kayleigh, Kaley, and Kailey, which are etymologically separate.

Ceili has the following similar or variant Names

Ceili – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2017 #1 949
EE Girls 0 #142 1 1,888
Canada Girls 2010 #302 6 2,861
United States Girls 2019 #907 6 8,965
BR Girls 0 #992 1 12,708
PE Girls 0 #1,008 3 14,861
CO Girls 0 #1,150 3 16,140
ZA Girls 0 #1,236 1 25,928
MX Girls 0 #1,267 1 17,781

Ceili is popular in 8 countries — most recent births per country:

United States
Ireland
Canada
BR
CO

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People also ask about Ceili

Ceili is predominantly a girl's name.
Ceili is a 2 syllable name, pronounced KAY-lee (ˈkeɪli),KEE-lee (ˈkiːli).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Céilí, Ceile, Keely, Keeley, Kiley and Kaylee.
Yes, very popular — Ceili ranked #1 in Ireland in 2017, and appears in official birth registries across 3 countries.
Ceili ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2017).
Ceili's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2007 to #1 in 2017 in Ireland.