Holding steady.
Popularity of Morley since 1909
Babies named Morley per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Morley's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0 | 5 |
| 1910s | 0 | 81 |
| 1920s | 7 | 159 |
| 1930s | 0 | 132 |
| 1940s | 0 | 72 |
| 1950s | 0 | 35 |
| 1960s | 0 | 23 |
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 6 |
| 2010s | 22 | 0 |
| 2020s | 19 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Morley is a rare English surname-turned-given name with a pastoral meaning. It was first recorded in U.S. Social Security data in 1909, which also stands as its peak year. The name has not ranked in the top 1000 since that time and shows a stable trajectory over the decades. With no top states and no prominent bearers, Morley remains a quiet, unusual choice. Its etymology ties it to the English countryside, reflecting a place name that signifies a moorland clearing. As a given name, it saw sporadic use in the early 20th century, largely for girls, but never achieved widespread popularity.
Morley is an English surname transferred to given name use, derived from various places named Morley. The place name comes from Old English mōr 'moor, fen' and lēah 'woodland clearing, meadow'. As a given name, it was occasionally used in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly for girls, though it has remained rare.
Sibling names for Morley
Names that share Morley's style, for a brother or sister.
