Updated October 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
English
"servant clearing"
A courtly surname and place name that feels like it could be a successor to Kingsley. It has a British feel thanks to its most famous wearers: actress Keira Knightley, and Mr (George) Knightley, the…
English place name and surname
"peat bog, mouse clearing"
Mosley, former best known as the surname of author Walter, has been put in play as a first name for girls by football great Peyton Manning, who used the name for his twin daughter, sister of…
"fern clearing"
Actor Farley Granger set it in motion, now could be a gentler alternative to Harley.
English surname
"heather clearing"
A pretty alternative to Hadley, but perhaps a little too close to sound distinctive. Hedy would be a cool nickname, after legendary actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr.
"moor, meadow clearing"
Fresh choice in the vein of Carly and Harley.
A lively English surname that was popularly given as a male first name in the Victorian period, and is ripe for revival today.
"wood clearing"
Yardley is an English surname with a distinguished vibe, a la Chauncey and Clancy. Extremely rare for either sex, it would make a stand-out choice that still fits in with current trends.
"clearing on a bank"
Despite its poetic associations, almost as dated as Sheldon, and more feminine.
"rough clearing"
A rough-and-tumble surname that has seen a small increase in use in recent years. Ten boys received the name in 2024 in the US.
"by the clearing or meadow"
A surname with a currently popular sound, reminiscent of Atlas and Hadley. This spelling is less popular in the States, but is the version worn by 1940s UK Prime Minister Clement Attlee.
"Hynca's clearing"
An English place name, belonging to a town in Leicestershire, England, and several in the USA. It is occasionally used as a name, in the style of Hadley and Henley.
English place name
"rush clearing"
In the same unisex placename/surname style as Oakley and Hadlee, this name makes total sense but has never been on the American charts. Rushlee Buchanan is a New Zealand Olympic cyclist.
"clearing"
Only if you don't mind hearing yourself saying, "Come quickly, Quixley."
English, Old French
"clearing of woodland"
An English surname derived from the Old French taillis , this nature inspired choice could be an alternative to Wallis, Alice, Tallie, or Ellis. Other sources suggest it could derive from the Greek…
Gently pleasant English family name long associated with 60-Minuteman Morley Safer.
"high meadow, high woodland clearing"
Similar in style to Ensley, Ainsley, and Wrenley, Enley was given to five girls in a recent year. Likely derived from Henley, a place- and surname-name it could mean "high meadow" or "high woodland…
Spelling variation of Graylee
"gray meadow, gray clearing"
A name in the style of Hayley, Kaylee, and Baylee, Graylie is a spelling variant with a softer look.
Invented name
"new life in the meadow; elderberry clearing"
A new entry for 2025, Zovalee is likely a spin on Novalie, with a touch of Zoe thrown in. While its invented status means there is no precise meaning, it you see it as a smoosh of Zoe, Nova, and Lee,…
Word name or surname
"one who smiles; small clearing"
You've heard of Joy and Sunny; you might have heard of Happy and Lucky being used as names too, but how about this upbeat option? Traditionally a nickname for someone with a smile ever on their face,…
Scottish and English
"hall or woodland clearing"
While this has a distinguished male namesake -- astronomer Edmund Halley and his comet -- it still strays too close to the superpopular feminine Hailey family to work for some parents for a boy.…