Wiley
Wiley is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Clever, crafty, or willow/water clearing.
Origin and history
Wiley originated as an English surname derived from various place names, such as Wylye in Wiltshire or Willey in Warwickshire and Cheshire. It is often understood to mean 'crafty' or 'clever', or topographically 'clearing by the water'. In the U.S., it has a long history of steady, moderate use as a classic masculine given name.
Popularity in the United States
18,400 babies in the United States have been named Wiley since 1880. It ranks #865 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1043.
States where it is most popular
- NC (14.1 %)
- TX (12.5 %)
- GA (11.3 %)
- AL (9.2 %)
- MS (7.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 726 |
| 1890-1900 | 576 |
| 1900-1910 | 590 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,676 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,621 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,320 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,179 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,735 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,147 |
| 1970-1980 | 700 |
| 1980-1990 | 528 |
| 1990-2000 | 534 |
| 2000-2010 | 795 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,199 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,074 |
Famous people named Wiley
- Wiley Post: Aviator, Pioneer
Fun facts
- The name originally denoted someone living near the River Wylye or a willow clearing.
- The name is widely recognizable in American culture partly due to the famous Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote.