Foley is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic sept name Ó Fhloinn, which means "descendant of Flann". The name Flann means "red or ruddy" in Irish. Foley has been traditionally associated with County Kerry in Ireland.
The surname Foley can be traced back to the 13th century when it was first recorded in county Kerry, Ireland. The Foley sept were a branch of the O'Connells, one of the most powerful families in medieval Ireland. They were known for their bravery and loyalty, and they played significant roles in Irish history.
Throughout history, many people with the surname Foley have made notable contributions to various fields such as politics, literature, and science. For instance, Michael J. Foley was a prominent American politician who served as the mayor of Boston from 1950 to 1958. On the other hand, John Henry Foley was an Irish sculptor whose works include statues of Daniel O'Connell and Queen Victoria.
Today, Foley is still predominantly found in Ireland, but it has also spread to other parts of the world due to Irish immigration over the centuries. It is often used as a given name as well as a surname. While its meaning may not have a direct impact on someone's personality or character, the history and heritage behind the name Foley make it a significant choice for many families.
Based on the provided statistics, we can analyze the trend of babies named Foley born in the United States from 1918 to 1955.
In 1918, there were 6 births with the name Foley. The following year, the number increased slightly to 7 births. This upward trend continued into 1922, with 8 babies named Foley being born that year.
There was a significant gap in time between 1922 and the next reported year for this name, which is 1949. During this period of approximately 27 years, it appears that the popularity of the name Foley decreased or remained steady, as there are no statistics available for those intervening years.
In 1949, after this gap, the number of births with the name Foley decreased to 5. This figure remained relatively stable in the next reported year, 1955, with another 6 births recorded.
Overall, from 1918 to 1955, there were a total of 32 babies named Foley born in the United States, based on the provided statistics. It's interesting to note that the popularity of this name fluctuated over time but remained relatively consistent after the gap between 1922 and 1949.
This information can be used to analyze naming trends and patterns in the United States during the early to mid-20th century, providing insight into the choices parents made when selecting names for their children.