Chesley
Chesley is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Camp in the woodland clearing or meadow.
Origin and history
Chesley is a name of Old English origin that originally developed as a habitational surname referring to a woodland clearing or meadow near a camp. Historically used as a masculine name, it remains rare in the United States with steady, low-volume usage over the past century. Its association with aviation hero Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger gave the name modern cultural recognition.
Popularity in the United States
2,294 babies in the United States have been named Chesley since 1880. It ranks #2702 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1897.
States where it is most popular
- TX (43 %)
- TN (16.4 %)
- GA (12.5 %)
- SC (7.8 %)
- CA (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 46 |
| 1890-1900 | 61 |
| 1900-1910 | 66 |
| 1910-1920 | 241 |
| 1920-1930 | 378 |
| 1930-1940 | 270 |
| 1940-1950 | 263 |
| 1950-1960 | 218 |
| 1960-1970 | 151 |
| 1970-1980 | 161 |
| 1980-1990 | 165 |
| 1990-2000 | 113 |
| 2000-2010 | 65 |
| 2010-2019 | 66 |
| 2020-2029 | 30 |
Famous people named Chesley
- Chesley Sullenberger: Airline Pilot, Diplomat
- Chesley Bonestell: Painter, Illustrator
Nicknames
Ches
Fun facts
- Commercial pilot Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger famously landed US Airways Flight 1549 safely on the Hudson River in 2009.
- It originated as an English habitational surname derived from Old English terms for a camp or fortress and a clearing or meadow.