Hayley
How to say it: HAY-lee · /ˈheɪli/
From an Old English place name meaning 'hay clearing' or 'hay meadow'. Popularized in the 20th century.
Hayley was the 84th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 179 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1990s, its births are down about 52% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #133 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #84 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 179 |
| Share of births | 1 in 935 |
| Peak decade | 1990s |
| Change over 10 years | −52% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #133 |
| In France, 2025 | #190 among girls’ names, 15 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Hayley crested in the 1990s and has faded steadily since. It now sits far below that high, with further easing expected soon.
What goes with it
Soft and breathy with a gentle touch, Hayley moves lightly. Hadley and Paisley make natural companions.
Nicknames
- Hay
- Hales
Honouring a Hayley in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Hayley is about 1 in 39.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #190 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #480. Ireland: #151.
Famous people named Hayley
- Hayley Williams (born 1988)American singer
- Hayley Kiyoko (born 1991)American actress and singer
- Hayley Westenra (born 1987)New Zealand singer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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