Standard spelling
凯莉
Kǎi lì
The standard Chinese spelling of Kelly.
- 凯
- triumph, victory
- 莉
- jasmine
Best when you want Chinese readers to see Kelly straight away.
Kelly in Chinese
In Chinese, Kelly is written 凯莉 (Kǎi lì), the standard spelling used in Chinese books, films and news. If you would like a name with meaning, try 可欣 (Kě xīn): a Chinese-style name meaning lovable and joyful.
Write Kelly in calligraphyFree preview · No sign-up
凯莉
Kǎi lì
Kelly
Choose by sound or by meaning.
There is no single official spelling of an English name in Chinese. Here is what each option says, character by character.
Name with meaning
可欣
Kě xīn
A Chinese-style name meaning lovable and joyful.
- 可
- lovable
- 欣
- joy, delight
Echoes the “Kel-” in Kelly and reads like a real Chinese given name.
Single character
欣
Xīn
A single character meaning joy, delight.
- 欣
- joy, delight
Clean and minimal; reads well at any size.
Where Kelly comes from.
Kelly comes from the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, often linked to words for “bright-headed” or “war”.
Does your Chinese name match your birth chart?
In Chinese astrology, the moment you were born forms your birth chart, which the tradition reads for your work, your love life and the years ahead. A Chinese name is traditionally chosen to bring in the elements your chart needs.
Your free reading shows your chart in 30 seconds. The full report ($29) reads 凯莉 (Kǎi lì) against it and adds three names that keep the sound of Kelly.
Read my birth chart, free30 seconds · no sign-up
凯Wood莉Wood
凯莉 carries Wood. That is lucky for you if your birth chart needs Wood; if it needs Fire, Earth, Metal or Water, your name is missing it.
Find out which elements your chart needs →About Kelly in Chinese
What does the name Kelly mean?
Kelly comes from the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, often linked to words for “bright-headed” or “war”.
How do you say Kelly in Chinese?
Kelly is written 凯莉 and pronounced Kǎi lì. This is the standard spelling Chinese speakers use for the name. Best when you want Chinese readers to see Kelly straight away.
What does 可欣 mean?
可欣 (Kě xīn) is a Chinese-style name for Kelly: a Chinese-style name meaning lovable and joyful. 可 means “lovable”, 欣 means “joy, delight”.
Which version of Kelly is best for a tattoo?
凯莉 is how Chinese speakers will read your name. 可欣 is shorter and every character carries a meaning, which many people prefer for body art. Write it in a readable style such as Kaishu, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.