Chesley
Every Chesley since 1880 — 2,919 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Chesley
Chesley is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,283 in 2025 with 11 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 2,919 American babies have been named Chesley — about 79% boys and 21% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1923, when 48 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Chesley stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Chesley year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 11 | #7,283 |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | 7 | #12,417 | — | — |
| 2022 | 10 | #9,846 | — | — |
| 2021 | 7 | #12,482 | 7 | #9,912 |
| 2020 | 5 | #15,622 | 12 | #6,704 |
| 2019 | 7 | #12,724 | — | — |
| 2018 | 7 | #12,765 | — | — |
| 2017 | 8 | #11,887 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | 8 | #9,000 |
| 2015 | 6 | #14,899 | 8 | #8,891 |
| 2014 | 10 | #10,299 | 10 | #7,648 |
| 2013 | 8 | #12,235 | 11 | #7,118 |
| 2012 | 10 | #10,605 | 10 | #7,651 |
| 2011 | — | — | 6 | #11,069 |
| 2010 | — | — | 13 | #6,410 |
| 2009 | 10 | #10,854 | 10 | #7,787 |
| 2008 | 8 | #12,842 | — | — |
| 2007 | 5 | #18,208 | — | — |
| 2006 | 10 | #10,762 | — | — |
| 2005 | 11 | #9,588 | 13 | #5,923 |
| 2004 | 7 | #13,045 | 6 | #10,179 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14,230 | 5 | #11,172 |
| 2002 | 5 | #15,950 | 11 | #6,152 |
| 2001 | 8 | #11,223 | 10 | #6,538 |
| 2000 | 10 | #9,307 | 10 | #6,394 |
| 1995 | 26 | #3,999 | 11 | #5,185 |
| 1990 | 25 | #4,031 | 16 | #3,627 |
| 1985 | 17 | #4,492 | 18 | #2,732 |
| 1980 | 17 | #4,355 | 22 | #2,290 |
| 1975 | 8 | #6,597 | 18 | #2,380 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,194 | 14 | #2,521 |
| 1965 | — | — | 17 | #1,926 |
| 1960 | — | — | 19 | #1,867 |
| 1955 | — | — | 14 | #2,156 |
| 1950 | — | — | 20 | #1,662 |
| 1945 | — | — | 29 | #1,230 |
| 1940 | — | — | 32 | #1,187 |
| 1935 | — | — | 29 | #1,250 |
| 1930 | — | — | 44 | #1,039 |
| 1925 | — | — | 34 | #1,230 |
| 1920 | — | — | 42 | #1,092 |
| 1915 | — | — | 36 | #1,070 |
| 1910 | — | — | 12 | #938 |
| 1905 | — | — | 9 | #848 |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | 7 | #822 |
| 1885 | — | — | 6 | #849 |
| 1880 | — | — | 5 | #937 |
Famous people named Chesley
- Chesley Sullenberger Pilot · b. 1951
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Chesley in 2025?
Chesley ranked #7,283 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 11 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Chesley?
2,919 babies have been named Chesley in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Chesley most popular?
Chesley peaked in 1923, when 48 newborns received the name.
Is Chesley a boy or girl name?
Chesley is used for both: about 21% of babies named Chesley have been girls and 79% boys.
Is the name Chesley rising or falling?
Chesley is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Chesley?
Well-known people named Chesley include Chesley Sullenberger (pilot).