Declining since 2019, #2,064 for girls today.
Popularity of Hensley since 1916
Babies named Hensley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 17 |
| 1920s | 0 | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 | 6 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 11 | 6 |
| 2000s | 109 | 23 |
| 2010s | 1,115 | 85 |
| 2020s | 803 | 42 |
Meaning & origin
Hensley first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1995, and by 2020 it reached its peak popularity, ranking in the top 2000. In 2025, it stands at rank 2064, with about 1 in 17,662 newborns receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 2019, reflecting a shift away from this surname style. The name is most strongly associated with Arkansas, Kentucky, and Indiana, where it has seen the highest usage. Hensley fits a trend of surname-names for girls that emerged in the late 20th century, often chosen for their crisp, two-syllable sound and the appealing nickname 'Henny'.
Hensley is a transferred use of the English surname, which originates from a place name in Somerset, England. The place name is believed to derive from the Old English personal name 'Hean' or 'Hēan' (a short form of names beginning with 'Here-', meaning army) and 'lēah' meaning 'woodland clearing'. As a given name, it emerged in the late 20th century, used first for girls in the United States.
Where Hensley is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hen, Henny, Lee
Sibling names for Hensley
Names that share Hensley's style, for a brother or sister.
