Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Bailey
GirlEnglish, French· “bailiff; from a surname”
- Meaning
- bailiff; from a surname
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- BAY-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #209
- US babies 2025
- 1,446
- Best rank
- #60 (1998)
- Peak year
- 1998
Meaning and origin of Bailey
Bailey is an English and French name that is usually said to mean “bailiff; from a surname”.
Bailey is an English surname with two likely sources. One is the occupational term bailiff, from Old French baillif, a steward or officer of the law. The other is the bailey, the outer wall or courtyard of a castle, which gave its name to London's Old Bailey court. As a first name Bailey is used for both boys and girls, though it is more common for girls in the United States. Its friendly, open sound fits alongside names like Hailey and Riley. Bailey feels warm, easygoing and approachable, and it has no difficult spelling or pronunciation to navigate.
Other spellings with the same sound: Baylee, Bayley, Baily, Bailie, Baley, Baillie.
Popularity over time
Bailey first appears in US Social Security records in 1916. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 43 different years, starting in 1983. Its best national rank was #60 in 1998, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,198 babies. In 2025, 1,446 babies were named Bailey, and it ranked #209 nationally. That is 49% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,907 in 1980, #68 in 2000, #78 in 2010, and #209 in 2025. Of the 110,806 US girls named Bailey since records began, 33% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 31,621 babies. Since 2010, 38,177 more have been named Bailey.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Sabrina, Sierra, Madeline, Autumn, and Gabrielle.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bailey ranked highest in Vermont, South Carolina, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #58 | 7 |
| South Carolina | #105 | 40 |
| New Hampshire | #123 | 10 |
| Virginia | #131 | 57 |
| Alaska | #143 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 94% of US babies named Bailey over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Bailey is usually pronounced BAY-lee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with B and ends in “-ey”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Baylee, Bayley, Baily, and Bailie.
Middle names for Bailey
A few middle names that flow with Bailey: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bailey
Similar names
Journey Girl
JUR-nee
“a trip, a day's travel” · English
#411
Lacey Girl
LAY-see
“from Lassy in Normandy” · English
#738
Courtney Girl
KAWRT-nee
“from a French place name” · French
#2,335
Aubrey Girl
AW-bree
“elf ruler” · French
#146
Hailey Girl
HAY-lee
“hay clearing” · English
#104
Ashley Girl
ASH-lee
“ash tree clearing” · English
#164
Sydney Girl
SIHD-nee
“from an English surname and place name” · Old English
#348
Hadley Girl
HAD-lee
“heather clearing” · English
#121
Marley Girl
MAHR-lee
“pleasant wood or clearing” · English
#322
Presley Girl
PREZ-lee
“priest's clearing” · English
#225
Haley Girl
HAY-lee
“hay clearing” · English
#861
Harley Unisex
HAR-lee
“hare meadow” · Old English
#418
Lists that include Bailey
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bailey mean?
Bailey is an English and French name that is usually said to mean “bailiff; from a surname”.
What is the origin of the name Bailey?
Bailey has English and French roots. Bailey is an English surname with two likely sources.
Is Bailey a popular name?
Yes. Bailey ranked #209 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Bailey a boy or girl name?
Bailey is mainly a girl's name. About 94% of US babies named Bailey over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Bailey?
Bailey is usually pronounced BAY-lee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings