Rising since 2011, #5,399 for boys today.
Popularity of Woodley since 1918
Babies named Woodley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 27 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 15 |
| 1950s | 13 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 39 |
| 1980s | 50 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 35 |
| 2020s | 82 |
Meaning & origin
Woodley is a rare English place name turned given name, first recorded in 1918. Its popularity has fluctuated, but it has been rising since 2011, reaching its peak rank of 5,399 in 2025, with approximately 1 in 100,475 births that year. The name evokes images of wooded landscapes, fitting trends for surname-inspired names. While it has not broken into any state's top popularity lists, its steady upward trajectory suggests growing appeal among parents seeking distinctive, nature-related names.
Woodley is an English surname and place name derived from Old English 'wudu' (wood) and 'lēah' (clearing, meadow). As a given name, it emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely from surname usage or topographic features. It remains uncommon, with most bearers in English-speaking countries.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wood, Woody, Lee
Sibling names for Woodley
Names that share Woodley's style, for a brother or sister.
