Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Stanley
BoyOld English, English· “stony clearing”
- Meaning
- stony clearing
- Origin
- Old English, English
- Pronunciation
- STAN-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #863
- US babies 2025
- 278
- Best rank
- #34 (1915)
- Peak year
- 1954
Meaning and origin of Stanley
Stanley is an Old English and English name that means “stony clearing”.
Stanley comes from an English surname based on place names meaning "stony clearing," from the Old English stan, "stone," and leah, "clearing" or "wood." The Stanley family were powerful English nobles who became Earls of Derby. The explorer Henry Morton Stanley, famous for finding David Livingstone in Africa, helped make it a popular given name in the late nineteenth century. Later bearers include the director Stanley Kubrick. Today Stanley has a vintage, gentlemanly feel that is starting to look fresh again. Stan is the classic nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Stanly.
Popularity over time
Stanley has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #34 in 1915, and the most babies received it in 1954, when 6,448 were named Stanley. In 2025, 278 babies were named Stanley, and it ranked #863 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #40 in 1920, #60 in 1950, #221 in 1980, #505 in 2000, #683 in 2010, and #863 in 2025. Of the 301,425 US boys named Stanley since records began, 19% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 49,456 babies. Since 2010, 5,373 more have been named Stanley.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Philip, Alan, Danny, Jerome, and Dwight.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Stanley ranked highest in Michigan, Colorado, and Missouri.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #515 | 17 |
| Colorado | #532 | 11 |
| Missouri | #552 | 11 |
| Minnesota | #579 | 9 |
| Washington | #600 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Stanley is usually pronounced STAN-lee, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with S and ends in “-ey”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Stanly.
Middle names for Stanley
A few middle names that flow with Stanley: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Stanley
Similar names
Bradley Boy
BRAD-lee
“broad clearing” · English
#403
Harley Unisex
HAR-lee
“hare meadow” · Old English
#418
Oakley Unisex
OHK-lee
“oak clearing” · English
#156
Westley Boy
WEHST-lee
“west meadow” · English
#619
Riley Unisex
RY-lee
“rye clearing” · English
#48
Jeffrey Boy
JEF-ree
“possibly territory of peace” · Germanic
#552
Joey Unisex
JOH-ee
“he will add; short for Joseph” · English
#877
Kingsley Unisex
KINGZ-lee
“king's wood” · Old English
#1,096
Bentley Boy
BEHNT-lee
“clearing with bent grass” · Old English
#215
Brantley Boy
BRANT-lee
“from an English surname” · English
#499
Eddie Boy
EH-dee
“short for Edward; rich guardian” · English
#861
Byron Boy
BY-ruhn
“at the cattle sheds” · Old English
#981
Lists that include Stanley
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Stanley mean?
Stanley is an Old English and English name that means “stony clearing”.
What is the origin of the name Stanley?
Stanley has Old English and English roots. Stanley comes from an English surname based on place names meaning "stony clearing," from the Old English stan, "stone," and leah, "clearing" or "wood." The Stanley family were powerful English nobles who became Earls of Derby.
Is Stanley a popular name?
Yes. Stanley ranked #863 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Stanley a boy or girl name?
Stanley is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Stanley?
Stanley is usually pronounced STAN-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