Declining since 2013, #2,326 for girls today.
Popularity of Bayleigh since 1989
Babies named Bayleigh per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 13 |
| 1990s | 662 |
| 2000s | 1,561 |
| 2010s | 2,239 |
| 2020s | 715 |
Meaning & origin
Bayleigh is a distinctly feminine spelling variant of the surname-turned-given-name Bailey. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1989, but its peak came in 2012 when it ranked highest in usage. Since 2013, however, its popularity has been steadily declining. In 2025, Bayleigh ranked 2,326, with about 1 in 20,606 baby girls receiving the name. Geographically, it has seen the most use in Alabama and Tennessee, reflecting a broader Southern preference for creative spellings of traditional names. Bayleigh remains a modern, stylish choice for parents seeking a name that feels both familiar and distinctive.
Bayleigh is a respelling of Bailey, which derives from the Old French 'baillif' meaning 'bailiff' or 'steward'. The surname referred to an official who managed an estate. As a given name, Bailey became popular for both genders in the late 20th century, and Bayleigh emerged as a feminine variant in the 1990s, part of the trend of using -leigh endings for girls.
Where Bayleigh is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bay, Leigh, Bae
Sibling names for Bayleigh
Names that share Bayleigh's style, for a brother or sister.
