Holding steady.
Popularity of Yardley since 1968
Babies named Yardley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0 | 6 |
| 1970s | 5 | 0 |
| 1980s | 11 | 24 |
| 1990s | 23 | 46 |
| 2000s | 0 | 18 |
| 2010s | 61 | 5 |
| 2020s | 7 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Yardley is a rare English surname-turned-given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1977. It has never broken into the top 1000, maintaining a low but consistent profile. Its peak year was 2013, suggesting a modest uptick during the surname-as-first-name trend of the 2010s. The name's trajectory is stable, meaning it has not seen dramatic rises or falls. Yardley's top states are not recorded, indicating its usage is spread thinly across the country. For parents seeking an uncommon place-name with a green, pastoral feel, Yardley offers a subtle alternative to more popular -ley endings.
Yardley is an English surname and place name derived from Old English 'gyrd' (a yard, a measure, or a rod) and 'leah' (wood, clearing). It originally referred to someone who lived near or worked at a yard in a clearing. The name is associated with several locations in England, notably Yardley in Worcestershire and Birmingham. As a given name, it gained occasional use in the late 20th century, often for girls.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yard, Lee
Sibling names for Yardley
Names that share Yardley's style, for a brother or sister.
