Girl · 227th of 35,406
Hayley
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
51,269
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1993
Peak Popularity Year
2,624
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Hayley 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 Hayley has its roots in Old English, meaning 'hay clearing'. It evolved from historical forms such as Haya and Hayle. This name carries traits of nature and rural imagery, with no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 20th century and is currently seen as a modern and trendy choice.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈheɪli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Hayley is derived from the Old English surname 'Hayley', which originally referred to someone from a place called Hayley, derived from 'haya', meaning 'hay' or 'hedge', combined with 'leah', meaning 'woodland' or 'clearing'.
Meaning
Hay clearing
Language Evolution
Haya, Haye, Hayle, Hayley
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, and has been used as both a given name and a surname.
Variants & Derivatives
Haylee, Haley, Hailey
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Hayley is perceived as a modern and trendy name, often associated with youth and vibrancy.
Famous People
Hayley Williams - American singer and songwriter, Hayley Atwell - British actress, Hayley Mills - British actress
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:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,624 peak births in 1993
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 43 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Haelee
Haeleigh
Haeley
Haeli
Haelie
Haely
Haiely
Hailee
Haileigh
Hailey
Haili
Hailie
Hailiey
Haillee
Hailley
Haillie
Hailly
Haily
Hailye
Halei
Haleigh
Haley
Halie
Haliegh
Haliey
Haylee
Haylei
Hayleigh
Hayli
Haylie
Hayliee
Hayliegh
Hayllie
Hayly
Heiley
Heili
Heilly
Heily
Heylee
Heyley
Heyli
Heylie
Khailey
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 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 11250th of 16616 | 23 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 16493rd of 24088 | 23 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3469th of 12526 | 226 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1026th of 19264 | 1,941 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 215th of 27321 | 21,042 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 227th of 35406 | 22,776 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 672nd of 30306 | 5,238 |