Rising since 1998, #2,183 for boys today.
Popularity of Buckley since 1916
Babies named Buckley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 15 |
| 1920s | 52 |
| 1930s | 66 |
| 1940s | 49 |
| 1950s | 67 |
| 1960s | 93 |
| 1970s | 106 |
| 1980s | 60 |
| 1990s | 20 |
| 2000s | 48 |
| 2010s | 147 |
| 2020s | 361 |
Meaning & origin
Buckley is an English surname name meaning 'woodland clearing of the buck,' reflecting the trend of using occupational and locational surnames as first names. While it has been in sparse use since 1916, its recent trajectory is notably upward: it has been rising since 1998 and reached its peak rank of 2,183 in 2025, with a 1-in-26,278 rate. The name is most common in Wisconsin, and its gentle rise aligns with the broader popularity of surname-style names ending in '-ley' or '-lee.'
Buckley is an English surname transferred to given name use, derived from a place name meaning 'woodland clearing of the buck' (Old English bucc 'buck' + leah 'wood, clearing'). As a given name, it has been in sporadic use since the early 20th century, particularly in the United States. It saw a modest revival in the 1990s and has been rising in popularity since the late 1990s, consistent with the trend of using surname-derived first names.
Where Buckley is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Buck
Sibling names for Buckley
Names that share Buckley's style, for a brother or sister.
