Girl · 82nd of 35,406
Bailey
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
130,947
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1998
Peak Popularity Year
7,438
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Bailey stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Bailey has its origins in Old English, meaning bailiff or steward. It has evolved through various forms in the English language and gained popularity as a given name in the late 20th century. The name is associated with traits of responsibility and friendliness. There is no significant biblical relevance to the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈbeɪli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Bailey is derived from the Old English word 'bailiff', which referred to an official or steward in charge of a particular area or property. It was originally used as a surname before becoming a popular given name.
Meaning
Bailiff or steward
Language Evolution
Old English: Bailli, Middle English: Baile, Modern English: Bailey
Historical Usage
The name Bailey gained popularity as a given name in the late 20th century, especially in English-speaking countries, due to its pleasant sound and association with a sense of responsibility.
Variants & Derivatives
Baileigh, Baylee, Bailey-Ann
Modern Popularity & Image
Bailey is often perceived as a friendly and approachable name, frequently used for both boys and girls. It has a modern and trendy feel and is popular in various cultures.
Famous People
Bailey Sarian - a well-known YouTuber and makeup artist, Bailey Matthews - an Australian paratriathlete
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 7,438 peak births in 1998
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 24 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1053rd of 7545 | 697 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1157th of 6773 | 632 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1529th of 7552 | 499 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2166th of 10718 | 302 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 655th of 16616 | 3,632 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 343rd of 24088 | 14,119 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1436th of 23106 | 1,509 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7503rd of 9107 | 12 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 12526th of 12526 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 7577th of 19264 | 84 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 219th of 27321 | 20,618 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 82nd of 35406 | 62,244 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 132nd of 30306 | 26,381 |