Holding steady.
Popularity of Oley since 1883
Babies named Oley per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Oley's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 11 |
| 1890s | 16 |
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 66 |
| 1920s | 104 |
| 1930s | 61 |
| 1940s | 53 |
| 1950s | 33 |
| 1960s | 23 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Oley is a rare name that saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a peak in 1901. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1883, but its trajectory has been stable with very few births in recent decades. The name's meaning is uncertain and it has not ranked in the top 1000 in any year. It was recorded primarily in the early 1900s, and its use has declined significantly since then.
The name Oley is of uncertain origin. It may be a variant of Olaf (Old Norse for 'ancestor's descendant') or a short form of Oliver (from Old French 'olivier', meaning 'olive tree'). Alternatively, it could be an invented name or a respelling of the surname Oley. It was most common in the early 20th century, appearing primarily in the United States.
Sibling names for Oley
Names that share Oley's style, for a brother or sister.
