Holding steady, #675 for girls today.
Popularity of Whitley since 1914
Babies named Whitley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 24 |
| 1920s | 0 | 15 |
| 1930s | 0 | 15 |
| 1940s | 0 | 6 |
| 1950s | 0 | 8 |
| 1960s | 0 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 1,052 | 36 |
| 1990s | 2,007 | 63 |
| 2000s | 887 | 36 |
| 2010s | 2,075 | 236 |
| 2020s | 2,127 | 394 |
Meaning & origin
Whitley is a relatively modern given name, entering the U.S. baby name charts in 1984 and reaching its peak popularity just a few years later in 1988. As of 2025, it holds the rank of 675, with about 1 in every 3,827 babies receiving the name. Its usage has been stable in recent years. The name is most popular in Oklahoma, Missouri, and West Virginia, areas where surname-style names are particularly favored. Whitley belongs to a trend of English surnames adopted as first names, often for girls, following the path of names like Whitney and Courtney. It carries a pastoral meaning of 'white meadow', evoking a sense of natural beauty.
Whitley is an English surname transferred to first name use, originating from any of several places named Whitley in England. The place name derives from Old English hwit 'white' and leah 'clearing, meadow', thus 'white clearing' or 'white meadow'. As a given name, it emerged in the late 20th century, first recorded in the United States in 1984, with a peak in popularity in 1988.
Where Whitley is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Whit, Whitney
Sibling names for Whitley
Names that share Whitley's style, for a brother or sister.
