Hayley Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HAY-lee //ˈheɪli//
Origin: English; Old English
Meaning: Hay meadow; hay clearing
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Hayley has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "heg" meaning "hay" and "leah" meaning "clearing" or "meadow." This etymological combination suggests a literal meaning of "hay clearing" or "meadow where hay is grown." The name evolved through various forms, including the Old English "Hægleah," before being adopted into Middle English as "Hayley." It entered the English vernacular as a surname, which was common practice in the medieval period, before transitioning into use as a given name in the 20th century. Historically, the name Hayley can be traced back to the 12th century, when surnames began to be used more systematically in England.
One notable figure associated with the name is Hayley, a surname borne by the poet William Hayley in the 18th century, who contributed to the literary scene of his time. The name has also appeared in various historical documents and records, indicating its presence in English society over the centuries.
The use of Hayley as a first name became more prominent in the 20th century, reflecting a broader trend of adopting surnames as given names. Culturally, the name Hayley has been associated with pastoral and agrarian imagery, resonating with themes of nature and rural life.
This connection to the land and agriculture has contributed to its appeal in various literary and artistic contexts. Additionally, the diminutive form "Hay" has emerged as an affectionate variant, further embedding the name within familial and social traditions.
Overall, Hayley's historical and linguistic journey reflects a rich tapestry of English heritage, intertwining nature, literature, and personal identity.
Famous people named Hayley
In this section, you will find notable people named Hayley. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Hayley who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Hayley who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Hayley Atwell is an actress best known for Captain America: The First Avenger, Agent Carter, and Avengers: Endgame.
Hayley Williams is a singer and songwriter best known for being the lead vocalist of Paramore and for her solo album Petals for Armor.
Hayley Kiyoko is an actress and singer best known for her roles in Lemonade Mouth, The Fosters, and for her music career including the song Girls Like Girls.
Hayley Mills is an actress best known for her roles in The Parent Trap, Pollyanna, and That Darn Cat!.
Hayley Erbert is a dancer and choreographer best known for her work on So You Think You Can Dance and as a dancer for Derek Hough.
Hayley Squires is an actress best known for her roles in I, Daniel Blake, and The Last Kingdom.
Fictional characters named Hayley
The following list of fictional characters named Hayley is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Hayley Marshall is a fictional character from the TV series The Originals. She is a werewolf and a key figure in the fight for her family's survival against supernatural threats.
Hayley Smith is a fictional character from the animated TV series American Dad!. She is the daughter of Stan and Francine Smith, known for her rebellious and liberal views.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Hayley, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Hayley. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Hayley was first seen in the United States in 1960.
Hayley has ranked as high as #255 nationally, which occurred in 1993, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Ohio, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Hayley has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Hayley is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Hayley was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Hayley.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 179 | 0 | 179 |
| 2024 | 232 | 0 | 232 |
| 2023 | 266 | 0 | 266 |
| 2022 | 338 | 0 | 338 |
| 2021 | 409 | 0 | 409 |
| 2020 | 423 | 0 | 423 |
| 2019 | 415 | 0 | 415 |
| 2018 | 472 | 0 | 472 |
| 2017 | 496 | 0 | 496 |
| 2016 | 479 | 0 | 479 |
| 2015 | 566 | 0 | 566 |
| 2014 | 598 | 0 | 598 |
| 2013 | 546 | 0 | 546 |
| 2012 | 678 | 0 | 678 |
| 2011 | 728 | 0 | 728 |
| 2010 | 723 | 0 | 723 |
| 2009 | 756 | 0 | 756 |
| 2008 | 851 | 0 | 851 |
| 2007 | 1,110 | 0 | 1,110 |
| 2006 | 1,077 | 0 | 1,077 |
| 2005 | 1,234 | 0 | 1,234 |
| 2004 | 1,310 | 13 | 1,297 |
| 2003 | 1,867 | 0 | 1,867 |
| 2002 | 1,670 | 0 | 1,670 |
| 2001 | 1,787 | 0 | 1,787 |
| 2000 | 2,305 | 5 | 2,300 |
| 1999 | 2,261 | 0 | 2,261 |
| 1998 | 2,084 | 0 | 2,084 |
| 1997 | 2,358 | 5 | 2,353 |
| 1996 | 2,577 | 0 | 2,577 |
| 1995 | 2,364 | 5 | 2,359 |
| 1994 | 2,362 | 0 | 2,362 |
| 1993 | 2,624 | 6 | 2,618 |
| 1992 | 2,443 | 6 | 2,437 |
| 1991 | 1,755 | 0 | 1,755 |
| 1990 | 1,053 | 0 | 1,053 |
| 1989 | 938 | 6 | 932 |
| 1988 | 801 | 0 | 801 |
| 1987 | 884 | 0 | 884 |
| 1986 | 868 | 0 | 868 |
| 1985 | 664 | 0 | 664 |
| 1984 | 433 | 0 | 433 |
| 1983 | 364 | 0 | 364 |
| 1982 | 494 | 0 | 494 |
| 1981 | 440 | 0 | 440 |
| 1980 | 229 | 0 | 229 |
| 1979 | 243 | 0 | 243 |
| 1978 | 236 | 0 | 236 |
| 1977 | 218 | 0 | 218 |
| 1976 | 91 | 0 | 91 |
| 1975 | 98 | 0 | 98 |
| 1974 | 101 | 0 | 101 |
| 1973 | 70 | 0 | 70 |
| 1972 | 74 | 0 | 74 |
| 1971 | 91 | 0 | 91 |
| 1970 | 82 | 0 | 82 |
| 1969 | 87 | 0 | 87 |
| 1968 | 103 | 0 | 103 |
| 1967 | 62 | 0 | 62 |
| 1966 | 85 | 0 | 85 |
| 1965 | 71 | 0 | 71 |
| 1964 | 82 | 0 | 82 |
| 1963 | 71 | 0 | 71 |
| 1962 | 46 | 0 | 46 |
| 1961 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1960 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
Top States for Hayley (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 28 | |
| NY | 26 | |
| FL | 21 | |
| TX | 14 | |
| NJ | 12 | |
| VA | 8 | |
| NC | 7 | |
| IL | 7 | |
| PA | 7 | |
| AZ | 6 | |
| MD | 6 | |
| CO | 6 | |
| GA | 6 | |
| OH | 6 | |
| KS | 6 | |
| MA | 6 | |
| TN | 6 | |
| MN | 5 | |
| WA | 5 | |
| WI | 5 |