girls' name · peaked 1993

Hayley

Localities in England, from Old English hēg (“hay”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”).

Every Hayley since 1960 — 51,449 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.511.5218801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#1,251
among girls
Babies in 2025
179
named Hayley
Peak year
1993
2,624 babies
All-time total
51,449
since 1960

The story of Hayley

Hayley is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,251 in 2025 with 179 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1960, 51,449 American babies have been named Hayley. Its peak came in 1993, when 2,624 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.

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 Hayley stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Hayley 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 179 #1,251
2024 232 #1,071
2023 266 #971
2022 338 #829
2021 409 #704
2020 423 #674
2019 415 #697
2018 472 #632
2017 496 #612
2016 479 #623
2015 566 #548
2014 598 #517
2013 546 #544
2012 678 #459
2011 728 #431
2010 723 #430
2009 756 #423
2008 851 #381
2007 1,110 #306
2006 1,077 #305
2005 1,234 #265
2004 1,297 #247 13 #5,928
2003 1,867 #174
2002 1,670 #192
2001 1,787 #183
2000 2,300 #149 5 #11,018
1995 2,359 #135 5 #9,373
1990 1,053 #267
1985 664 #357
1980 229 #728
1975 98 #1,180
1970 82 #1,310
1965 71 #1,280
1960 9 #4,577
1955
1950
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Hayley

  1. Hayley Mills Actor · b. 1946
  2. Hayley Atwell Actor · b. 1982
  3. Hayley Westenra Singer · b. 1987
  4. Hayley Wickenheiser Athlete · b. 1978
  5. Hayley Kiyoko Actor · b. 1991

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Hayley mean?

Localities in England, from Old English hēg (“hay”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”).

How popular is the name Hayley in 2025?

Hayley ranked #1,251 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 179 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Hayley?

51,449 babies have been named Hayley in the United States since 1960, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Hayley most popular?

Hayley peaked in 1993, when 2,624 newborns received the name.

Is Hayley a boy or girl name?

Hayley is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Hayley rising or falling?

Hayley is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Hayley?

Well-known people named Hayley include Hayley Mills (actor), Hayley Atwell (actor), Hayley Westenra (singer).

Names like Hayley

Compare Hayley with similar names →