Gilley

Irish

"blond boy"

Gilley Origin and Meaning

The name Gilley is a boy's name.

Gilley is a masculine name with Anglo-Saxon roots, deriving from the Old English personal name 'Gyllic' or possibly from 'gill,' meaning 'ravine' or 'narrow valley.' The name may also be connected to the Scottish and Irish surname Gilley, which comes from the Gaelic 'Mac Giolla,' meaning 'son of the servant or devotee.' As a first name, Gilley maintains a folksy, rustic charm that evokes rural American heritage. While never among the most popular names, Gilley saw modest use in the southern United States, particularly in the mid-20th century. The name gained some recognition through country music singer Mickey Gilley, though it remains relatively uncommon as a given name today.