Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 4 pages
of 4
English variation of Eisele, German
"iron"
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…
Surname name
A name that's long been popular for dogs on Chicago's North Side is now gaining traction among human babies. Wrigley Field is the Chicago Cubs' historic ballpark, originally named after the Wrigley…
Spelling variation of Kylie
"boomerang"
Kiley is one of the more reasonable of the Kylie variations, which also include Kilea, Kilee, Kileigh, Kili, Kilie, Kylee, Kyley, Kyli, ad infinitum. Despite its similarity to the popular Riley, the…
Modern invented name
Linley is one of the trendy new girls' names created from two popular halves, Lin and Ley. All names Ley ending are popular right now, with Oakley, Bexley, and Riley picking up where Ashley left off.…
American variation of Kayla
"laurel, crown, wreath"
A contemporary choice, Kayley blends elements of Kayla, Hayley, Michaela, and Keeley. Likely invented as a variation of Kayla, it can be considered a combination of popular sounds, though it may also…
Variation of Leslie, Scottish
"garden of holly"
Lesley runs a distant second to more popular sister Leslie, used for about 30 baby girls in one recent year vs. Leslie's 400+. And interestingly, no baby boys were named Lesley though about 40 were…
English
"lynx glade"
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…
"blessed, happy"
Seeley is a Medieval surname with a happy, fortunate meaning.
"where birches grow"
The Brits say BARK-lee, but we pronounce it the same as the name of the California college: either way it's quite pretentious and of another era.
Waverley is a feminine name derived from English place names, originally meaning "meadow of quivering aspens" from Old English roots. The name gained literary recognition through Sir Walter Scott's…
English surname
"dweller at the cross"
Rare gender-neutral surname, reminiscent of Crosby, a Top 1000 falling star.
Zayley -- which may also be styled Zaylee or Zaylie or Zalie, among other spellings -- is a member of the squad of names that include Bailey, Hayley, and Kaylee and is always welcoming new members.
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…
Irish
"from the mother's side"
The spoiled only son of the richest family in town in a fifties movie.
"from Brinsley"
The 'ley' ending makes this British surname name ripe for consideration as a feminine girls' name. Brinsley joins such sisters as Kinsley and Tinsley.
"fern clearing"
Actor Farley Granger set it in motion, now could be a gentler alternative to Harley.
"pock-marked face, scarred"
English surname that's very rarely found as a first name. The Colorado city was named after Horace Greeley, the nineteenth-century congressman and founder of the New-York Tribune .
"long meadow"
The name of a large Air Force base in the US, Langley is a surname style choice that may appeal to fans of Langston, Landon, and Oakley, but also Banner, Navy, and Cannon. Quietly used for boys in…
"wood clearing"
Yardley, a surname redolent of British soaps and perfume, was used for her daughter by Megyn Kelly. Yeardley Smith (born Martha), has long been the voice of Bart on The Simpsons .
"blind"
Sisley may look like a modern coinage, building on the fashionable -ley ending, but it's actually a medieval English variant of Cicely or Cecily, which in turn is a variation of Cecilia. Also found…
