Stanley
Stanley: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈstænli/
Meaning and origin of Stanley
Root meaning: “stone”
- A male given name transferred from the surname, popular in the early 20th century.
Etymology
From places in England, Old English stān (“stone”) + lēah (“meadow”). Equivalent to stone + -ley (“lea”). * The given name has also been used as an anglicisation of Stanisław, Stanislav and related names. The coastal town in Hong Kong is named after Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby.
How popular is Stanley?
Since 1880, 1,437 girls and 301,425 boys in the U.S. have been named Stanley (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1123 in 1927. Its highest rank for boys was #34 in 1915. In 2025 it ranked #863 for boys, with 278 babies given the name.
Names similar to Stanley
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Stanley
Sister and brother names that share Stanley's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Stanley FAQ
What does the name Stanley mean?
Stanley traces back to a root meaning "stone". A male given name transferred from the surname, popular in the early 20th century. From places in England, Old English stān (“stone”) + lēah (“meadow”). Equivalent to stone + -ley (“lea”). * The given name has also been used as an anglicisation of Stanisław, Stanislav and related names. The coastal town in Hong Kong is named after Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby.
What is the origin of the name Stanley?
Stanley is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Stanley?
Since 1880, 1,437 girls and 301,425 boys in the U.S. have been named Stanley (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1123 in 1927. Its highest rank for boys was #34 in 1915. In 2025 it ranked #863 for boys, with 278 babies given the name.
Is Stanley a boy or girl name?
Stanley is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,437 girls and 301,425 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.