A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Wiley since 1880
Babies named Wiley per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wiley's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 726 |
| 1890s | 576 |
| 1900s | 590 |
| 1910s | 1,676 |
| 1920s | 2,621 |
| 1930s | 2,320 |
| 1940s | 2,179 |
| 1950s | 1,735 |
| 1960s | 1,147 |
| 1970s | 700 |
| 1980s | 528 |
| 1990s | 534 |
| 2000s | 795 |
| 2010s | 1,199 |
| 2020s | 1,074 |
Meaning & origin
Wiley is an English surname-turned-first name with roots in place names meaning 'willow meadow'. It first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1880, the first year of official records, and reached its peak popularity in 1882. After a long decline, the name began a resurgence in 1994 and has been steadily rising since. In 2025, it ranked 1222 with a 1 in 10352 incidence. The name is most common in the states of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Oregon, reflecting its historic usage in the American heartland. Its revival aligns with a broader trend of vintage and surname-inspired names.
Wiley originated as an English surname, typically derived from various place names such as 'Wiley' in Wiltshire or 'Wylye' (from Old English 'wīelig' meaning 'willow' and 'ēa' meaning 'river'). It transitioned into common use as a first name in the United States during the 19th century, particularly in the southern and western states. The name has seen a revival in recent decades, rising again in popularity since the 1990s.
Where Wiley is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Wiley” around the world
Where Wiley lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Wylie, Wyly
Sibling names for Wiley
Names that share Wiley's style, for a brother or sister.
