Halley Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Halley originates from Old English, meaning 'hero', 'holy', or 'healthy'. It has evolved through various forms, retaining its associations with strength and health. Although it has no biblical relevance, it gained popularity in the 19th century due to the fame of Halley's Comet. Today, it is perceived as a unique and celestial-themed name, with notable bearers in the fields of astronomy and entertainment.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Halley"
Pronunciation
/ˈhæl.i/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Halley is derived from the Old English surname 'Haleg', which means 'hero' or 'one who is holy'. It is also associated with the Old English word 'hal', meaning 'healthy' or 'whole'.
Meaning
hero, holy, healthy
Language Evolution
Haleg (Old English), Halley (Middle English), Halley (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Halley gained popularity as a surname and became more recognized as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, largely due to the fame of Halley's Comet.
Variants & Derivatives
Halle, Hallie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Halley is often viewed as a unique and trendy name, associated with celestial themes due to the famous comet.
Famous People
Edmund Halley, the English astronomer who first calculated the orbit of Halley's Comet, Halley Berry, the renowned American actress
📊 Halley Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Halley Name Visualizations
✨ Halley Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 355 peak births in 1986
Geographic Spread
Popular across 36 US states, with strongest presence in Florida
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Halley" - Complete Guide (15 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Halley". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 15 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Halley" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Halley"
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 of "Halley"
"Halley" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4232nd of 7545 | 54 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5062nd of 6773 | 23 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5937th of 7552 | 17 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 10056th of 16616 | 32 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6442nd of 9107 | 23 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 9243rd of 12526 | 20 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4953rd of 19264 | 174 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1449th of 27321 | 1,623 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1841st of 35406 | 1,705 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3606th of 30306 | 519 |
Regional Popularity of "Halley" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
63.94% 4039th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Halley" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
33.70% 1242nd/3685 |
38.32% 1715th/4475 |
26.93% 1399th/5194 |
27.72% 1751st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
35.46% 1625th/4582 |
48.45% 2502nd/5164 |
26.75% 1956th/7313 |
32.63% 2435th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
78.18% 3508th/4487 |
58.71% 4005th/6822 |
56.82% 3566th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Halley"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Halley" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Halley" in the United States
The name Halley is most popular in Florida, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Halley has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Halley' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4232nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5062nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5937th out of 7552 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 10056th out of 16616 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6442nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 9204th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 9243rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4953rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1449th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1841st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3606th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Halley' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.