Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Haley
GirlEnglish, Old English· “hay clearing”
- Meaning
- hay clearing
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- HAY-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #861
- US babies 2025
- 314
- Best rank
- #28 (2000)
- Peak year
- 2000
Meaning and origin of Haley
Haley is an English and Old English name that means “hay clearing”.
Haley comes from an English surname based on place names that combine Old English words for hay and a woodland clearing or meadow. So at heart it describes a field where hay was gathered. Like many surnames, it made the leap to a first name in the twentieth century, helped along by the similar-sounding Hayley and by actress Hayley Mills. It is sometimes linked to Halley's Comet, but that name comes from the astronomer Edmond Halley and is spelled differently. Haley feels bright, approachable and all-American, with spellings such as Hailey, Hayley and Haylee all widely used.
Popularity over time
Haley first appears in US Social Security records in 1890. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 50 different years, starting in 1974. Its best national rank was #28 in 2000, the same year it reached its highest count of 9,069 babies. In 2025, 314 babies were named Haley, and it ranked #861 nationally. That is 72% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,618 in 1920, #438 in 1980, #28 in 2000, #154 in 2010, and #861 in 2025. Of the 159,511 US girls named Haley since records began, 45% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 57,056 babies. Since 2010, 15,623 more have been named Haley.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Julia, Kaitlyn, Destiny, Sydney, and Savannah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Haley ranked highest in North Dakota, Connecticut, and Nebraska.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | #215 | 5 |
| Connecticut | #334 | 9 |
| Nebraska | #427 | 5 |
| Iowa | #460 | 7 |
| Pennsylvania | #527 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Haley is usually pronounced HAY-lee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with H and ends in “-ey”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Hailey and Hayley.
Middle names for Haley
A few middle names that flow with Haley: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Haley
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 Haley
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Haley mean?
Haley is an English and Old English name that means “hay clearing”.
What is the origin of the name Haley?
Haley has English and Old English roots. Haley comes from an English surname based on place names that combine Old English words for hay and a woodland clearing or meadow.
Is Haley a popular name?
Yes. Haley ranked #861 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Haley a boy or girl name?
Haley is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Haley?
Haley 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