Shayley is a unique and modern girl's name of Irish origin. It is believed to have been created by combining the elements "Shay" meaning "hawk" or "stately", and "ley" which often refers to a meadow or clearing. Therefore, Shayley could be interpreted as meaning "stately meadow" or "noble clearing".
The name Shayley first gained popularity in Ireland during the late 20th century but has since become more widely recognized around the world. It is considered a unisex name, although it is more commonly used for girls.
There are no significant historical figures associated with the name Shayley, as it is relatively new compared to many other names. However, its unique sound and modern feel have contributed to its growing popularity among parents seeking distinctive names for their children.
The name Shayley has seen a varied level of popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 263 babies given this name since 1990. The most popular year for the name was 2000, with a peak of 20 births. This was closely followed by 2002 and 2003, each with 19 and 17 births respectively. Interestingly, there were also two years where Shayley was given to 6 babies: 1990 and 2018.
However, the name's popularity has declined in recent years. Between 2015 and 2021, there have been fewer than 10 births each year, with a low of just 5 births in 2021. This suggests that Shayley may no longer be as trendy as it once was, but its usage has certainly left a mark on American demographics over the past three decades.