What does Haley mean?

Haley or Hayley is an English language given name and surname of Old English origin, meaning "hay clearing" or "clearing in the meadow". It is derived from the Old English words "heg" (hay) and "leah" (clearing or meadow).

The name Haley became popular in the United States in the 19th century and has remained in use since then, with some variations in spelling and pronunciation. It is also used in other English-speaking countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Haley is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both males and females. However, it is more commonly used as a female name in modern times.

Notable people with the name Haley include:

- Haley Joel Osment (born 1988), American actor

- Haley Pullos (born 1998), American actress

- Haley Reinhart (born 1990), American singer

- Haley Scott DeMaria (born 1989), American Olympic swimmer

In terms of popularity, Haley has seen a steady rise in usage over the past few decades. According to the Social Security Administration, the name was ranked as the 113th most popular name for girls born in the United States in 1990, but rose to the 11th spot by 2021.