The name Talley is of English origin and means "from the clearing in the wood." It is derived from the Old English words "tal" meaning "clearing" or "woodland," and "leah" meaning "woodland clearing." The name was likely given to someone who lived near a woodland clearing.
Talley has been used as both a first name and a surname throughout history. As a first name, it is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages, although it may not have been particularly common during this period. However, it is difficult to trace the exact origins of Talley's use as a given name because many historical records were lost or destroyed over time.
Today, Talley is still used as both a first and last name, but it remains relatively uncommon compared to other names with English origins. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Talley has never been among the top 1000 most popular boys' names since records began being kept in the year 1879.
Despite its rarity today, Talley has been carried by notable figures throughout history. For example, John Talley was an early American settler who arrived in Virginia in the late 1600s and helped establish one of the first settlements in what is now North Carolina. Additionally, there are several places named Talley throughout the United States, including towns and creeks, which suggest that the name has been well-established in America for generations.
In conclusion, while the name Talley may not be widely known or used today, it has a rich history dating back to medieval England. With its meaning derived from nature and its association with early American settlers, Talley is a unique and intriguing name that carries with it a sense of heritage and connection to the land.
The name Talley has been a presence in the United States birth records since 1969, with a total of 343 babies given this name up until 2022.
The number of births per year varied significantly over the years. The most popular year for the name was 2019, with 13 births recorded. Conversely, there were only 5 births in both 1969 and 2018.
There were periods where the name Talley was more commonly used, such as between 1997 to 2008, during which time there were at least 9 births each year, with peaks of 14 births in 2008. However, from 2009 onwards, the number of births decreased significantly, with most years having fewer than 10 births.
Despite these fluctuations, it's clear that the name Talley has maintained a consistent presence in the United States birth records over the past 53 years.