Stanley
Stanley is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Stony clearing, stone wood, or rocky meadow.
Origin and history
Stanley originated as an Old English habitational surname referring to a stony clearing or meadow. It became popular as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. Today, it is considered a classic vintage choice with steady, moderate usage.
Popularity in the United States
301,425 babies in the United States have been named Stanley since 1880. It ranks #121 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #767.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.2 %)
- PA (9.3 %)
- IL (6.4 %)
- CA (6.1 %)
- MI (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 997 |
| 1890-1900 | 2,297 |
| 1900-1910 | 4,156 |
| 1910-1920 | 35,908 |
| 1920-1930 | 49,456 |
| 1930-1940 | 37,130 |
| 1940-1950 | 46,263 |
| 1950-1960 | 57,164 |
| 1960-1970 | 30,005 |
| 1970-1980 | 13,214 |
| 1980-1990 | 9,211 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,124 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,127 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,541 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,832 |
Famous people named Stanley
- Stanley Kubrick: Director, Screenwriter
- Stanley Tucci: Actor, Filmmaker
- Stanley Baldwin: Prime Minister, Politician
Nicknames
Stan, Stanly
Fun facts
- The name originally designated someone who lived near a stony field, derived from the Old English elements 'stan' (stone) and 'leah' (clearing).
- Stanley was a top-20 boy's name in the United States during the 1910s and 1920s.