A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Conley since 1882
Babies named Conley per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2011, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Conley's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 16 |
| 1890s | 0 | 18 |
| 1900s | 0 | 58 |
| 1910s | 0 | 285 |
| 1920s | 0 | 429 |
| 1930s | 0 | 412 |
| 1940s | 0 | 436 |
| 1950s | 0 | 314 |
| 1960s | 5 | 219 |
| 1970s | 0 | 169 |
| 1980s | 0 | 149 |
| 1990s | 47 | 214 |
| 2000s | 84 | 312 |
| 2010s | 215 | 680 |
| 2020s | 249 | 350 |
Meaning & origin
Conley is a surname-style Irish name with a rugged feel. First recorded in 1882, it saw its peak popularity in 1905. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 1988. Currently ranked #2516, it remains uncommon but recognizable, with about 1 in 32,228 births. Its strongest historical association is with the state of Tennessee. As a unisex option, Conley fits a modern trend toward surname names with Celtic roots.
Conley is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Conghaile, meaning 'descendant of Conghal'. The personal name Conghal itself is of debated derivation, possibly from cú (genitive con) 'hound' and gal 'valor', giving a meaning like 'hound-like in battle'. As a given name, Conley saw early use in the United States, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and has been revived in recent decades.
Where Conley is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Con
Variants: Conly, Conlee
Sibling names for Conley
Names that share Conley's style, for a brother or sister.
