Rising since 2015, #3,517 for girls today.
Popularity of Halley since 1910
Babies named Halley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 16 |
| 1920s | 7 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 7 |
| 1960s | 46 |
| 1970s | 126 |
| 1980s | 757 |
| 1990s | 1,314 |
| 2000s | 1,110 |
| 2010s | 450 |
| 2020s | 274 |
Meaning & origin
Halley, most commonly given to girls, first appeared in U.S. records in 1910. It reached its peak popularity in 1986, coinciding with the appearance of Halley's Comet. In 2025, Halley ranked 3517th, with approximately 1 in 37,378 newborns receiving the name. The name has been on a rising trajectory since 2015, indicating renewed interest. Halley is most popular in Texas and California. Its gentle sound and celestial connection give it a modern yet established feel.
Halley is an English surname derived from Old English 'halh' (nook, recess) or 'heall' (hall) combined with 'leah' (clearing, meadow). It was originally a locational surname for someone who lived near a hall or a remote valley. The name gained fame through the astronomer Edmond Halley, after whom Halley's Comet was named.
Where Halley is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hal
Sibling names for Halley
Names that share Halley's style, for a brother or sister.
