Bailey
Bailey is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Bailiff, steward, or fortification.
Origin and history
Bailey originated as an Old English occupational surname referring to a bailiff or public official. It shifted into widespread popularity as a given name in the late 20th century. Today, it remains a familiar and modern unisex choice in the United States, particularly for girls.
Popularity in the United States
110,806 babies in the United States have been named Bailey since 1880. It ranks #348 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #183.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9.9 %)
- CA (8.2 %)
- OH (4.3 %)
- FL (4.2 %)
- GA (3.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 6 |
| 1920-1930 | 6 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 5 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 28 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,082 |
| 1990-2000 | 31,621 |
| 2000-2010 | 36,881 |
| 2010-2019 | 28,302 |
| 2020-2029 | 9,875 |
Famous people named Bailey
- Bailey De Young: Actress, Dancer
- Bailey Chase: Actor
Nicknames
Bay, Bails
Fun facts
- It derives from the Middle English word 'baili', meaning an agent or administrative officer.
- Bailey rose in popularity alongside other traditional English surnames used as given names starting in the late 1980s.