Halley
Halley is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Hall meadow, holy clearing, or nook.
Origin and history
Halley is an English name derived from a surname and placename meaning 'hall meadow' or 'holy clearing'. It gained modern recognition partly due to Halley's Comet, named after astronomer Edmond Halley. In the United States, it is a moderately used female given name with steady contemporary presence.
Popularity in the United States
4,112 babies in the United States have been named Halley since 1880. It ranks #2749 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1827.
States where it is most popular
- CA (16.8 %)
- TX (16.1 %)
- OH (9.9 %)
- FL (8.4 %)
- NY (7.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 16 |
| 1920-1930 | 7 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 5 |
| 1950-1960 | 7 |
| 1960-1970 | 46 |
| 1970-1980 | 126 |
| 1980-1990 | 757 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,314 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,110 |
| 2010-2019 | 450 |
| 2020-2029 | 274 |
Nicknames
Hal
Fun facts
- The name is widely recognized due to Halley's Comet, named after English astronomer Edmond Halley.
- It originated as an English place name for someone living near a hall in a meadow or a sacred clearing.