Kelis

Meaning of Kelis

Kelis, pronounced KEL-iss, bursts onto the scene like a trumpet riff at a Caribbean street parade—short, catchy, and impossible to forget. Legend traces her spark to singer-chef Kelis Rogers, whose hit “Milkshake” blended pop, soul, and a dash of sass; many parents loved the flavor so much they bottled it as a baby name. Etymologists whisper that Kelis may be a modern remix of Kelly and Elise, giving it Celtic roots for “warrior” and French notes for “pledged to God,” but really, this is an American original—born in New York, raised on R&B, and now salsa-dancing through nurseries from Miami to Los Angeles. She’s hovered in the U.S. Top 1,000 since 2000, proving that, like a well-kept secret recipe, Kelis stays just under the radar while still turning heads. Think of her as a name with built-in rhythm: confident, creative, and just spicy enough to make any playground feel like Carnival.

Pronunciation

American English

• Pronunced as KEL-is (/ˈkɛlɪs/)

• Keira
• Kaela
• Kelsey
• Kyla