Hailley is a unique and distinctive female given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname "Hayley" which has its roots in the Old English language. The surname Hayley is believed to have originated from the Middle English personal name "Haie", which itself comes from the Old Norse word "Hásteinn" meaning "stone". Therefore, the name Hailley can be interpreted as meaning "stone".
The use of Hailley as a given name is relatively modern and it has gained popularity in recent years. It is often associated with the character Haley James Scott on the popular American television series "7th Heaven", played by actress Beverly Mitchell. However, the name was already in use before this show aired and its popularity may have been influenced by other factors as well.
Hailley is a name that carries a strong and independent spirit, reflecting its Scottish heritage and its connection to the natural world through its meaning of "stone". It is a name that commands attention and respect, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their daughter. Despite its Scottish origins, Hailley has been embraced by parents around the world who appreciate its distinctive sound and powerful meaning.
The name Hailley has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 455 babies given this name between 1986 and 2022.
The name's peak popularity was in the year 2000, with 36 births that year. This is more than double the number of births for any other year in the given dataset. The years surrounding 2000 also saw high numbers of babies named Hailley, with 33 births in 2002 and 30 births in 2004.
Interestingly, there was a significant drop-off in popularity after this peak period. Between 2011 and 2022, the number of babies named Hailley hovered around single digits each year, with only 5 births recorded in total over these eleven years.
This data suggests that while Hailley was once a popular name choice for parents in the United States, its popularity has waned significantly in recent years. Despite this decline, it is still possible that some families may choose to carry on this naming tradition and give their baby girl the name Hailley. Ultimately, the popularity of any given name can be influenced by many factors, including cultural trends, personal preferences, and even the meanings associated with certain names.