Is Stanley a boy, girl, or unisex name?

Stanley is commonly used as a Boy name.

How popular is Stanley?

It’s currently ranked #653 in the U.S. Recent trend: Falling.

How do you pronounce Stanley?

STAN-lee · IPA: //ˈstæn.li//

Stanley Boy

Popularity: #653 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationSTAN-lee / /ˈstæn.li/

Old English; German

Meaning

Old English: 'stone clearing'; German: 'from the stony meadow'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Stanley has roots in Old English, where it referred to a place characterized by a stone clearing. It gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages. The name has been borne by various notable figures throughout history, contributing to its enduring appeal. In modern times, it has remained a common name in English-speaking countries.

Trend Summary

Stanley has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable resurgence in recent years.

Variants

Stan
Stanny

International Variants

Stanislas (French)
Stanislav (Slavic)

Famous people named Stanley

Stanley Kubrick was an influential American film director known for his innovative filmmaking techniques.

Stanley Tucci is an acclaimed American actor and author recognized for his versatile roles in film and television.

Stanley Johnson is a British politician and author, known for his work in environmental issues.

Stanley Matthews was a famous English footballer, celebrated for his exceptional skill and sportsmanship.

Fictional characters named Stanley

Stanley Yelnats is the protagonist in the novel 'Holes' by Louis Sachar, who is sent to a juvenile detention camp.

Stanley Hudson is a character in the television series 'The Office,' known for his laid-back attitude and love for crossword puzzles.

Sibling Suggestions

Oliver Henry Ethan Lucas Nathan James

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Stanley was first seen in the United States in 1880. Stanley has ranked as high as #126 nationally, which occurred in 1954, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, California, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Stanley has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Stanley (2024)

Year:

State	Births	Share
FL	22	11%
CA	19	9%
PA	18	9%
NY	16	8%
MI	15	7%
IL	14	7%
TX	13	6%
WI	12	6%
TN	10	5%
MN	9	4%
MA	8	4%
OH	7	3%
GA	6	3%
NC	6	3%
MD	6	3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

Year	Births
1880	65
1881	76
1882	76
1883	68
1884	105
1885	97
1886	95
1887	110
1888	154
1889	151
1890	223
1891	178
1892	181
1893	212
1894	218
1895	233
1896	259
1897	240
1898	295
1899	258
1900	342
1901	239
1902	334
1903	361
1904	371
1905	384
1906	455
1907	516
1908	547
1909	607
1910	761
1911	997
1912	2,017
1913	2,595
1914	3,559
1915	4,807
1916	5,130
1917	5,186
1918	5,618
1919	5,238
1920	5,314
1921	5,231
1922	5,045
1923	5,036
1924	5,186
1925	5,030
1926	4,966
1927	4,902
1928	4,481
1929	4,265
1930	4,383
1931	4,202
1932	3,759
1933	3,433
1934	3,568
1935	3,696
1936	3,492
1937	3,484
1938	3,544
1939	3,570
1940	3,693
1941	3,926
1942	4,587
1943	4,699
1944	4,121
1945	4,058
1946	4,767
1947	5,502
1948	5,383
1949	5,527
1950	5,453
1951	6,205
1952	6,226
1953	6,275
1954	6,448
1955	6,050
1956	5,985
1957	5,267
1958	4,910
1959	4,343
1960	4,218
1961	3,924
1962	3,636
1963	3,541
1964	3,130
1965	2,818
1966	2,437
1967	2,247
1968	2,145
1969	1,906
1970	1,950
1971	1,769
1972	1,475
1973	1,358
1974	1,145
1975	1,170
1976	1,152
1977	1,115
1978	1,021
1979	1,065
1980	1,096
1981	1,014
1982	1,000
1983	908
1984	885
1985	920
1986	871
1987	821
1988	826
1989	869
1990	808
1991	778
1992	694
1993	637
1994	607
1995	562
1996	531
1997	525
1998	473
1999	508
2000	453
2001	443
2002	472
2003	405
2004	413
2005	410
2006	404
2007	398
2008	370
2009	359
2010	347
2011	348
2012	315
2013	355
2014	372
2015	365
2016	367
2017	351
2018	344
2019	377
2020	334
2021	312
2022	324
2023	304
2024	275