Daly

Meaning & origin

Daly is an unusual given name that entered U.S. birth records in 1988, a year that saw just a handful of girls given the name. Its peak year came in 2002, though the name has never approached the top 1000. The trajectory has been falling since 1993, and by 2025 it remains a rare choice, lacking a 1-in-N ratio because the sample is too small to calculate reliably. Top states have not been recorded, suggesting very sparse usage across the country. The name's appeal likely lies in its surname chic and Irish heritage, echoing the popular style of one-syllable, -ey ending names. Despite its rarity, Daly offers a distinct yet familiar sound for parents seeking an uncommon name with Celtic roots.

Daly is likely derived from the Irish surname Ó Dálaigh, meaning 'descendant of Dálach', where Dálach itself comes from dál meaning 'assembly' or 'gathering'. The surname was historically prominent in County Clare and other parts of Ireland. As a given name, it is rare and modern in use, possibly chosen for its surname appeal or phonetic resemblance to names like Hailey or Kaylee.