Oakley
Oakley is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Oak clearing, or meadow of oak trees.
Origin and history
Oakley originated as an Old English place name and surname derived from words meaning 'oak clearing'. Historically given primarily to boys, it has experienced a massive surge in popularity as a feminine given name in the United States since the 2010s. Modern parents often favor it for its trendy unisex surname appeal and nature-inspired connection.
Popularity in the United States
15,360 babies in the United States have been named Oakley since 1880. It ranks #1257 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #172.
States where it is most popular
- UT (10.6 %)
- TX (5.9 %)
- OH (5.8 %)
- IN (3.8 %)
- TN (3.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 27 |
| 1920-1930 | 35 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 11 |
| 1990-2000 | 124 |
| 2000-2010 | 464 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,472 |
| 2020-2029 | 10,227 |
Nicknames
Oak, Oakie, Lee
Fun facts
- The name comes from Old English 'āc' (oak) and 'lēah' (wood, meadow, or clearing).
- While historically used for boys, Oakley saw a dramatic rise as a girls' name in the U.S. starting around 2013.