Whitley
Whitley is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
White meadow or bright clearing.
Origin and history
Whitley is an English name derived from an Old English surname and place name meaning 'white meadow' or 'bright clearing.' Historically used as a masculine name and surname, it also gained popularity for girls in the late 20th century. In recent years, its usage for boys in the United States has seen a modest rise.
Popularity in the United States
843 babies in the United States have been named Whitley since 1880. It ranks #3833 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1534.
States where it is most popular
- MO (26.5 %)
- KS (22 %)
- TX (22 %)
- GA (9 %)
- NC (8.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 24 |
| 1920-1930 | 15 |
| 1930-1940 | 15 |
| 1940-1950 | 6 |
| 1950-1960 | 8 |
| 1960-1970 | 10 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 36 |
| 1990-2000 | 63 |
| 2000-2010 | 36 |
| 2010-2019 | 236 |
| 2020-2029 | 394 |
Nicknames
Whit
Fun facts
- The name originates from Old English words 'hwīt' (white or bright) and 'lēah' (clearing or meadow).
- Whitley originally served as a place name in various locations across England before being used as a family surname and eventually a given name.