Declining since 1996, #861 for girls today.
Popularity of Haley since 1890
Babies named Haley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 45 |
| 1900s | 32 |
| 1910s | 70 |
| 1920s | 78 |
| 1930s | 33 |
| 1940s | 22 |
| 1950s | 12 |
| 1960s | 376 |
| 1970s | 2,191 |
| 1980s | 12,776 |
| 1990s | 71,197 |
| 2000s | 57,056 |
| 2010s | 12,889 |
| 2020s | 2,734 |
Meaning & origin
Haley is a feminine name of English origin, derived from a surname meaning 'hay meadow'. It rose to prominence in the 1990s, peaking as the 861st most popular girl name in 1996, but has since seen a steady decline in use. In 2025, it ranked 861st, with approximately 1 in 5,119 newborn girls receiving the name. The name was first recorded in the U.S. in 1890, and its highest popularity occurred during the 1990s. Haley has been particularly favored in states like North Dakota, Connecticut, and Nebraska, reflecting a regional preference in the northern and midwestern U.S. Despite its decline, Haley remains a recognizable and well-used name, often associated with a modern, nature-inspired sensibility.
Haley derives from the Old English words 'heg' (hay) and 'leah' (clearing or meadow), originally an English surname denoting someone who lived near a hay meadow. As a given name, it gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, following similar sounding names like Hailey and Hayley.
Where Haley 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.
“Haley” around the world
Where Haley lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hay, Lee
Sibling names for Haley
Names that share Haley's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Megan, Kelsey, Caitlyn, Morgan, Sierra, Kaitlynn, Kaylea, Michayla, Keeli, Kerstyn, Linzie, Lynzie, Mahina, Malori, Shaley, Tehani, Kassadi, Chaley, Chealsey, Karelly, Katelee, Kehaulani, Lulani, Shalie, Taimane, Tippi
Brothers: Connor, Tyler, Dylan, Brandon, Cody, Tanner, Darien, Jarod, Makai, Jaidan, Kaipo, Zachory, Zackory, Bricen, Calvyn
Names like Haley
Names whose popularity has moved with Haley's over the last 50 years.
