Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Hailey
GirlEnglish, Old English· “hay clearing”
- Meaning
- hay clearing
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- HAY-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #104
- US babies 2025
- 2,556
- Best rank
- #19 (2010)
- Peak year
- 2003
Meaning and origin of Hailey
Hailey is an English and Old English name that means “hay clearing”.
Hailey comes from an English surname taken from place names built on the Old English heg, meaning hay, and leah, meaning a woodland clearing or meadow. Like many surname names, it moved into first-name use in the twentieth century, with the actress Hayley Mills helping to popularize the sound. American parents soon created several spellings, including Haley, Hailee and Haylee, and Hailey became one of the most common. It has a sunny, easygoing feel and a clear link to the countryside through its meaning. It works well with short or long middle names.
Popularity over time
Hailey first appears in US Social Security records in 1963. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 44 different years, starting in 1982. Its best national rank was #19 in 2010, and the most babies received it in 2003, when 8,798 were named Hailey. In 2025, 2,556 babies were named Hailey, and it ranked #104 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,485 in 1980, #35 in 2000, #19 in 2010, and #104 in 2025. Of the 181,434 US girls named Hailey since records began, 45% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 47,751 babies. Since 2010, 65,130 more have been named Hailey.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Paige, Trinity, Faith, Kylie, and Grace.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Hailey ranked highest in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #49 | 253 |
| New Jersey | #54 | 125 |
| Massachusetts | #54 | 93 |
| Connecticut | #65 | 38 |
| Pennsylvania | #68 | 129 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Hailey is usually pronounced HAY-lee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with H and ends in “-ey”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Haley and Hayley.
Middle names for Hailey
A few middle names that flow with Hailey: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Hailey
Similar names
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
Harley Unisex
HAR-lee
“hare meadow” · Old English
#418
Oakley Unisex
OHK-lee
“oak clearing” · English
#156
Kelsey Girl
KEHL-see
“from an English place name; ship island” · English
#814
Honey Girl
HUH-nee
“honey; a term of endearment” · English
#846
Riley Unisex
RY-lee
“rye clearing” · English
#48
Audrey Girl
AW-dree
“noble strength” · English
#86
Kinsley Girl
KIHNZ-lee
“from an English place name” · English
#93
Lists that include Hailey
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hailey mean?
Hailey is an English and Old English name that means “hay clearing”.
What is the origin of the name Hailey?
Hailey has English and Old English roots. Hailey comes from an English surname taken from place names built on the Old English heg, meaning hay, and leah, meaning a woodland clearing or meadow.
Is Hailey a popular name?
Yes. Hailey ranked #104 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Hailey a boy or girl name?
Hailey is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Hailey?
Hailey is usually pronounced HAY-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