Declining since 2015, #6,325 for girls today.
Popularity of Langley since 1907
Babies named Langley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0 | 5 |
| 1910s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 | 27 |
| 1930s | 0 | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 | 17 |
| 1960s | 0 | 17 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 5 |
| 1990s | 85 | 11 |
| 2000s | 172 | 25 |
| 2010s | 309 | 41 |
| 2020s | 104 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Langley entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1990 and climbed to its peak rank of 6,325 in 2015, a year when roughly 1 in 89,293 newborns received the name. Since then, its popularity has gradually declined, consistent with the trajectory of many surname-inspired names that experienced a brief surge in the 2010s. The name's English origin as a locational surname gives it a topographic meaning of 'long meadow,' appealing to parents who favor nature-related and surname-style first names. While Langley has not consistently appeared among top state rankings, its pattern of rise and fall reflects broader naming trends where once-obscure surnames become fashionable for a generation.
Langley derives from Old English 'lang' (long) and 'lēah' (wood, clearing, meadow). Originally a locational surname for someone who lived near a long meadow or clearing, it has been used as a given name, particularly for girls, since the late 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lang
Sibling names for Langley
Names that share Langley's style, for a brother or sister.
