Hawley is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "halig," which means "holy." The name was originally used as a surname, but it has since evolved into a given name for boys.
The name Hawley is believed to have originated in the county of Berkshire in England. It is thought to have been derived from a place called Hawley, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The name may also have been associated with the Anglo-Saxon personal name Haewelle, which means "hale or healthy."
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Hawley. One of the most famous was William Hawley, who served as a lieutenant governor of Connecticut in the late 18th century. Another notable figure was Thomas Hawley, who was a mayor of London during the reign of King James I.
While Hawley may not be one of the most popular given names today, it is still considered a strong and unique name with a rich history and meaningful origins. It is often associated with strength, integrity, and holiness due to its meanings and origins. Those who bear the name Hawley may feel a sense of pride and connection to their name's history and cultural significance.
The name Hawley has a unique and interesting history of usage in the United States over the past century. According to available data, the name first appeared in the early 1900s, with five babies being named Hawley in 1907.
The name's popularity peaked in the late 1910s to early 1920s, with a total of 65 births recorded between 1915 and 1924. The highest number of births in any single year during this period was 13 in 1918.
After a brief decline in the mid-1920s to mid-1930s, with fewer than ten births per year recorded each year from 1925 to 1934, the name's usage picked up again slightly in the late 1940s and early 1950s. There were five births recorded for each of these years.
The name Hawley then disappeared from popularity for several decades before reemerging in the late 1970s with another five births recorded in 1979.
In total, over the course of the century from 1907 to 2007, there were 150 babies named Hawley born in the United States. Despite its fluctuations in popularity over time, the name Hawley remains a distinctive and historic choice for parents looking for a unique name for their child.