Whitley
How to say it: WHIT-lee · /ˈwɪtli/
From an English place name meaning 'white clearing' (Old English 'hwit' + 'leah'). Popularized by the TV show A Different World.
Whitley was the 600th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 420 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 77% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #466 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #600 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 420 |
| Share of births | 1 in 7,068 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +77% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #466 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Essentially a newcomer, Whitley has gathered most of its use in recent decades. The 2020s mark its best period so far, with more increase on the horizon.
What goes with it
Crisp at the start and soft at the close, said WHIT lee, Whitley feels fresh and easy. Henley shares its modern rhythm.
Nicknames
- Whit
- Whits
Other spellings
Honouring a Whitley in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Whitley is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English.
Keep exploring
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