Declining since 2017.
Popularity of Staley since 1913
Babies named Staley per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1942, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Staley's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 30 |
| 1920s | 0 | 30 |
| 1930s | 0 | 31 |
| 1940s | 0 | 25 |
| 1950s | 0 | 25 |
| 1960s | 5 | 31 |
| 1970s | 6 | 5 |
| 1980s | 12 | 5 |
| 1990s | 5 | 5 |
| 2000s | 36 | 31 |
| 2010s | 53 | 23 |
| 2020s | 40 | 15 |
Meaning & origin
Staley is an English surname-turned-first-name that carries a quiet, nature-rooted meaning, derived from Old English words for 'stone' or 'hay' and 'clearing.' With its first recorded use in 1913, Staley peaked that same year before fading into obscurity. In recent decades, it has seen a modest revival but remains extremely uncommon, and the trajectory shows a decline since 2017. Because the name is so rare, no single state has reported it with enough frequency to appear in top-states data, meaning Staley's appeal is niche and scattered. For parents drawn to surname names with a mild, pastoral feel, Staley offers a less conventional alternative to better-known choices like Hadley or Bentley.
Staley is a transferred use of the English surname, which likely derives from Old English elements 'stan' (stone) or 'sta+' (place) combined with 'leah' (clearing, meadow). The name originally referred to someone who lived near a stony clearing or a meadow where hay was grown. As a given name, Staley has seen limited but steady use, particularly in the United States, where it emerged in the early 20th century. It remains uncommon, with a peak in 1913.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Stale, Lee, Stan
Variants: Staly, Stailey
Sibling names for Staley
Names that share Staley's style, for a brother or sister.
