Presley
Presley: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpɹɛsli/ · /ˈpɹɛzli/
Meaning and origin of Presley
Root meaning: “priest”
- A male given name.
- A female given name.
Etymology
The English surname is usually a variant of Priestley, from Old English prēost (“priest”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”). Equivalent to priest + -ley (“lea”). The place-name in Scotland may be from Pictish, equivalent to Welsh prys (“bush”) + Welsh lle (“place”).
How popular is Presley?
Since 1880, 31,778 girls and 4,945 boys in the U.S. have been named Presley (87% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #188 in 2015. Its highest rank for boys was #765 in 1881. In 2025 it ranked #225 for girls, with 1,450 babies given the name.
Names similar to Presley
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Presley
Names that peaked around the same time as Presley and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Presley FAQ
What does the name Presley mean?
Presley traces back to a root meaning "priest". A male given name. A female given name. The English surname is usually a variant of Priestley, from Old English prēost (“priest”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”). Equivalent to priest + -ley (“lea”). The place-name in Scotland may be from Pictish, equivalent to Welsh prys (“bush”) + Welsh lle (“place”).
How popular is the name Presley?
Since 1880, 31,778 girls and 4,945 boys in the U.S. have been named Presley (87% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #188 in 2015. Its highest rank for boys was #765 in 1881. In 2025 it ranked #225 for girls, with 1,450 babies given the name.
Is Presley a boy or girl name?
Presley is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (31,778 girls and 4,945 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.