Stanley
How to say it: STAN-lee · /ˈstænli/
From an Old English surname meaning 'stone clearing' or 'stony meadow' (stan + leah).
Stanley was the 799th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 278 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1910s, its births are down about 24% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #902 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #799 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 278 |
| Share of births | 1 in 11,925 |
| Peak decade | 1910s |
| Change over 10 years | −24% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #902 |
| In France, 2025 | #813 among boys’ names, 35 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Once a favorite in the 1910s, Stanley has faded far from that height. Rarity is growing and the trend points further down for now.
What goes with it
STAN lee pairs breathy softness with sturdy old fashioned charm. Stan works as a short form, and Walter sits in the same style.
Parents who love Stanley also love
Nicknames
- Stan
Honouring a Stanley in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Stanley is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #813 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #98.
Famous people named Stanley
- Stanley Kubrick (1928–1999)American filmmaker and photographer
- Stanley Tucci (born 1960)American actor and author
- Stanley B. Prusiner (born 1942)American neurologist and biochemist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Viral Stanley insulated tumblers
Keep exploring
About as popular as Stanley
Find names you'll both love, starting with Stanley
The one-minute style quiz.