Laney
Laney is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Bright, shining light, or path.
Origin and history
Laney originated primarily as an English diminutive of Elaine, which traces back to the Greek Helen, meaning 'bright' or 'shining light'. It has also developed independently as a given name derived from the surname or vocabulary word Lane. In the United States, Laney has seen a steady rise in usage in recent decades as a modern, friendly name.
Popularity in the United States
14,024 babies in the United States have been named Laney since 1880. It ranks #1337 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #656.
States where it is most popular
- TX (11.9 %)
- OH (5.9 %)
- CA (5.6 %)
- NC (5.3 %)
- GA (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5 |
| 1890-1900 | 10 |
| 1900-1910 | 16 |
| 1910-1920 | 52 |
| 1920-1930 | 61 |
| 1930-1940 | 20 |
| 1940-1950 | 56 |
| 1950-1960 | 64 |
| 1960-1970 | 87 |
| 1970-1980 | 151 |
| 1980-1990 | 297 |
| 1990-2000 | 994 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,136 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,475 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,600 |
Famous people named Laney
- Laney Wilson: Singer, Songwriter
Fun facts
- While historically a nickname for Elaine, Laney has gained widespread modern acceptance as an independent legal name.
- The name has experienced significant momentum in the U.S. during the 21st century alongside similar bright, open-vowel names.