Hayley
Hayley: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈheɪli/
Meaning and origin of Hayley
Root meaning: “hay”
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname.
- A male given name transferred from the surname, of rare usage.
- A female given name transferred from the surname, popular in the UK in the 1970s and the 1980s.
Etymology
Localities in England, from Old English hēg (“hay”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”). Equivalent to hay + -ley (“lea”).
How popular is Hayley?
Since 1880, 51,403 girls and 46 boys in the U.S. have been named Hayley (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #120 in 1996. Its highest rank for boys was #5928 in 2004. In 2025, 179 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Hayley
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname girl names
Sibling name ideas for Hayley
Sister and brother names that share Hayley's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Hayley FAQ
What does the name Hayley mean?
Hayley traces back to a root meaning "hay". A unisex given name transferred from the surname. A male given name transferred from the surname, of rare usage. A female given name transferred from the surname, popular in the UK in the 1970s and the 1980s. Localities in England, from Old English hēg (“hay”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”). Equivalent to hay + -ley (“lea”).
What is the origin of the name Hayley?
Hayley is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Hayley?
Since 1880, 51,403 girls and 46 boys in the U.S. have been named Hayley (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #120 in 1996. Its highest rank for boys was #5928 in 2004. In 2025, 179 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Hayley a boy or girl name?
Hayley is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 51,403 girls and 46 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.