Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Oakley
UnisexEnglish, Old English· “oak clearing”
- Meaning
- oak clearing
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- OHK-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #156
- US babies 2025
- 1,933
- Best rank
- #153 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Oakley
Oakley is an English and Old English name that means “oak clearing”.
Oakley is an English surname taken from several place names built on the Old English ac, oak, and leah, a woodland clearing or meadow. It describes a clearing among oak trees, and villages called Oakley exist in several English counties. The sharpshooter Annie Oakley made the surname famous in American frontier history. As a first name Oakley is used for both boys and girls and has a sunny, outdoorsy feel, joining other nature names such as Willow and Rowan. Oak and Oaks are casual nicknames, and the name suits families who like surname style with an earthy meaning.
Popularity over time
Oakley first appears in US Social Security records in 1913. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years, starting in 2013. Its best national rank was #153 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 1,933 were named Oakley. In 2025, 1,933 babies were named Oakley, and it ranked #156 nationally. That is 310% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,826 in 1920, #4,628 in 2000, #1,758 in 2010, and #156 in 2025. Of the 15,360 US girls named Oakley since records began, 67% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 4,472 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Rory, Sutton, Tatum, Emerson, and Milan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Oakley ranked highest in Utah, West Virginia, and Idaho.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | #24 | 97 |
| West Virginia | #26 | 34 |
| Idaho | #27 | 41 |
| Mississippi | #37 | 40 |
| Iowa | #53 | 46 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Oakley is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 62% of US babies named Oakley were girls and 38% were boys.
Oakley is usually pronounced OHK-lee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with O and ends in “-ey”.
Middle names for Oakley
A few middle names that flow with Oakley: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Oakley
Similar names
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Lists that include Oakley
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Oakley mean?
Oakley is an English and Old English name that means “oak clearing”.
What is the origin of the name Oakley?
Oakley has English and Old English roots. Oakley is an English surname taken from several place names built on the Old English ac, oak, and leah, a woodland clearing or meadow.
Is Oakley a popular name?
Yes. Oakley ranked #156 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Oakley a boy or girl name?
Oakley is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 62% of US babies named Oakley were girls and 38% were boys.
How do you pronounce Oakley?
Oakley is usually pronounced OHK-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