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At a Glance: Name: Connelly – Meaning: descendant of Conghalach – Origin: Irish (surname) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: KAH-nuh-lee
Connelly is an Irish surname name for a boy, pronounced KAH-nuh-lee, that traces back to the patronymic Conghalach, meaning descendant of Conghalach. You may see it glossed online as meaning 'love/friendship' or 'fierce as a wolf,' but neither claim holds up — the name's roots are in that Irish surname, not in those words.
Meaning & Origin of Connelly
Meaning: Descendant of conghalach.
Origin: Irish (surname).
A common claim: Glossed as meaning 'love/friendship', or alternatively 'fierce as a wolf.' Actually: Neither gloss is supported by the attested etymology; Connelly is a surname derived from the patronymic Conghalach, with no clear connection to 'love' or 'wolf.'
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Connelly
Phonetic: KAH-nuh-lee IPA: /ˈkɑːnəli/
Popularity of Connelly
Connelly reached its high point in 2020, when 22 boys were given the name, ranking it #5520. By 2024 it had dropped to #9036, given to just 11 boys.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1991–2024.
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Free printable nursery art for Connelly, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Connelly mean?
Descendant of conghalach. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Connelly)
How do you pronounce Connelly?
Connelly is pronounced KAH-nuh-lee (IPA: /ˈkɑːnəli/).
Is Connelly a popular name right now?
Connelly peaked at #5520 in 2020 and is ranked #9036 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1991–2024.)
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