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Baby Names Ending in Ley

  1. Hayley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "hay field"

    • Description:

      It all started in 1946, when Hayley Mills was given her mother's maiden name. Now that spelling is in third place, after Hailey and Haley, with all three adding up to one of the most popular names in the country. Hayley is the most used spelling in Australia.
  2. Bentley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "meadow with coarse grass"

    • Description:

      Bentley, a somewhat stuffy British surname, previously associated primarily with an incredibly expensive English car, has had a recent surge in popularity, thanks largely to the reality TV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, with Bentley being the name of the son of breakout star Maci (another new favorite) Bookout.
  3. Arley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "from the rabbit meadow"

    • Description:

      Similar in sound to Harley, Marley, Arlo, and Ari, this surname-style name was a fast rising choice in the UK in 2023.
  4. Charley

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Charlie, French

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Charlie and its many forms are on the rise -- including Charley, which relates more directly to the male formal name Charles. Surprisingly, though, while the number of girls and boys named Charlie are nearly even, there are six times as many girls named Charley than boys.
  5. Presley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "priest's meadow"

    • Description:

      Presley is a much more popular name for little girls than you might think, entering the charts as a girls' name in 1998 and hovering around Number 200 for the last decade.
  6. Brinley

    • Origin:

      English, combination of Brynn + Lee "burnt clearing; hill + meadow"

    • Meaning:

      "burnt clearing; hill + meadow"

    • Description:

      Brinley was a surprise entrant to the US Top 1000 in 2009, however, in 2023, it doesn't feel surprising at all. In fact, alternative spellings Brynleigh and Brynlee also rank in the Top 1000, with Brynley not too far behind.
  7. Bradley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "wide meadow"

    • Description:

      An English surname name, Bradley has a long history, dating way back to at least 1086, but as a first name it actually succeeded in the US before it reached England--though Dickens used it in his novel Our Mutual Friend. Bradley Cooper is one namesake.
  8. Keeley

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "slender"

    • Description:

      Keeley is well-used in modern Ireland, also found as Keely and Keela. The boys' form is Keelan. Largely unknown in the US, this could make an interesting update for Kelly or Kaylie or Kylie. A famous bearer is actress Keeley Hawes.
  9. Valley

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "valley"

    • Description:

      A natural phenomenon that makes a stylish baby name. Teen Mom's Kailyn Lowry used it for her daughter, twin to Verse.
  10. Tinsley

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "Tynni's meadow"

    • Description:

      New York socialite and reality TV star Tinsley Mortimer introduced this name to the mainstream. Following her Gossip Girl cameo in 2008 and the airing of her own show, High Society in 2010, this once obscure choice began to climb the charts. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016 and though 2023 saw it drop from the charts, it is still given to around 250 girls each year.
  11. Mckinley

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the fair hero"

    • Description:

      Presidential name that makes a fresh substitute for MacKenzie or McKenna. Possible spelling variations include MacKinley, MacKinlee, Makinleigh ad almost infinitum. McKinley is one of the Scottish names for girls that can work equally well for boys.
  12. Kinley

    • Origin:

      Scottish surname

    • Meaning:

      "fair hero"

    • Description:

      A Scottish surname name, more popular as the Presidential McKinley, meaning "son of the fair hero".
  13. Farley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "fern clearing"

    • Description:

      Actor Farley Granger set it in motion, now could be a gentler alternative to Harley.
  14. Loxley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "lynx glade"

    • Description:

      An English place and surname with a fierce natural meaning. Loxley is a village and river name from Yorkshire, England, famous for being the purported birthplace of Robin Hood. Loxley Chase was an extensive historic forest bordering Sherwood Forest in the Middle Ages.
  15. Ridley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "cleared wood; reed clearing; channel clearing"

    • Description:

      Director Ridley Scott and actress Daisy Ridley made this surname-style name familiar, and with its outdoorsy meaning and rugged yet preppy sound, it could blend in with Oakley, Reid, Riley, and Ridge. Some parents might be put of by the first syllable (as in, "get rid of" or "horrid" or "riddles"), but since Scarlett (scar), Colton (cult), and Titus all rank in the Top 400, it could still work for those looking for a standout last-name first name.
  16. Whitley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "white meadow"

    • Description:

      Eighties spin on megapopular Whitney that currently ranks higher than the original. Whitley fell out of the Top 1000 for several decades but resurfaced in 2018.
  17. Isley

    • Origin:

      English variation of Eisele, German

    • Meaning:

      "iron"

    • Description:

      A surnamier take on Isla. Isley may be derived from the German occupational surname Eisele (of the same pronunciation), or be related to the Old English word hesli, meaning "hazel grove." The Eisley spelling is about twice as popular, but both versions together are given to about 200 baby girls in the US each year.
  18. Macauley

    • Description:

      Macauley is a masculine name of Scottish and Irish Gaelic origin, derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Amhalghaidh, meaning "son of Amhalghaidh" (an ancient personal name). Historically used as a family name, Macauley transitioned to use as a given name following the trend of adopting surnames as first names. The name carries associations with Celtic heritage and has variations including Macaulay, MacAuley, and McCauley. While never reaching top-tier popularity, Macauley saw increased usage in English-speaking countries during the late 20th century. The name received modest attention through association with actor Macaulay Culkin in the 1990s, though his spelling variant has been more recognized. Macauley projects strength and traditional masculine qualities while maintaining its distinctive Scottish roots.

  19. Adley

    • Origin:

      Variation of Hadley

    • Description:

      Adley made the Top 1000 at Number 735 in 2012 on the heels of sister name Hadley, only to vanish again in 2013. But now, with the popularity of Adelaide and Adeline, it has leaped upward and entered the Top 1000 once again. Adley feels in step with name trends of the moment, but will it survive the ages? Other such mashups have not.
  20. Hurley

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "sea tide"

    • Description:

      Hurley is a possibility as a unisex surname-name ending with the "lee" sound. It is perhaps most associated with British actress Elizabeth Hurley, and is much rarer than Harley, because the "ur" sound is currently out of fashion (and the word "hurl" may put some off).