Blakely is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is believed to have been created as a feminine form of the surname Blackley, which was derived from Old English words 'blæc' meaning black, and 'leah' referring to a clearing or wood. Therefore, the name Blakely is thought to mean "from the dark wooded clearing."
The name Blakely first gained popularity in the late 19th century, but it was not until the 20th century that it began to be used as a feminine given name. Today, Blakely is considered a modern and stylish choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their daughter.
While there are no well-known historical figures named Blakely, the name has been carried by several notable individuals in recent times. For instance, American actress and model Emily Blunt was briefly known as Emily Blakely early in her career before she changed it back to her original surname.
In literature, the name Blakely appears in several works, such as "The House of Black and White" by Barbara Hambly, where the main character is named Blakely Blackwood. This further contributes to the growing popularity and recognition of the name Blakely.
Overall, Blakely is a unique and interesting name with a rich history and meaningful origin. Its uncommon usage makes it an excellent choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their daughter that stands out from the crowd.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends regarding the number of babies named Blakely born annually in the United States:
From 1969 to 1998, the number of births ranged between 5 and 42 per year. This period shows a steady increase over time, with notable spikes occurring around the late 1970s and mid-1990s.
In 1999, there were 38 births, marking a slight decrease from the previous year but still indicating that Blakely was a name gaining popularity.
The turning point occurred in 2000 with 57 births, which was more than double the number of births in the preceding year. This trend continued over the next few years, reaching 60 births in 2005 and peaking at 1854 births in 2023.
The overall total number of babies named Blakely born in the United States from 1969 to 2023 is 17,253. This figure reflects a significant increase in popularity for this name over the past two decades.