Boy · 40th of 7,545
Stanley
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
302,579
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1954
Peak Popularity Year
6,472
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Stanley 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 Stanley has its roots in Old English, meaning 'stone clearing'. It evolved from 'Stanleah' to its modern form, Stanley. The name is associated with strength and reliability, and it has no biblical relevance. It became popular during the Middle Ages and continues to be favored today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈstænlɪ/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Stanley derives from the Old English words 'stan', meaning 'stone', and 'leah', meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow'. Thus, it originally referred to a 'stone clearing'.
Meaning
stone clearing
Language Evolution
Stanleah, Stanley
Historical Usage
The name Stanley gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, becoming more common among the nobility and later spreading to the general population.
Variants & Derivatives
Stan, Stanny, Stanlie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Stanley is perceived as a traditional name that evokes a sense of strength and reliability. It remains popular in various English-speaking countries.
Famous People
Stanley Kubrick, Stanley Tucci, Stanley Ipkiss
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:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,472 peak births in 1954
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 40th of 7545 | 80,432 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 58th of 6773 | 70,961 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 77th of 7552 | 96,790 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 167th of 10718 | 25,869 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 299th of 16616 | 12,731 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 579th of 24088 | 6,643 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 734th of 23106 | 4,080 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1765th of 9107 | 390 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1752nd of 9204 | 394 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2592nd of 12526 | 362 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4494th of 19264 | 203 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 10927th of 27321 | 81 |