"fortification wall"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
Bailey
Pronunciation: [ b-AYL-ee ]
Does Bailey flow with your last name?
A friendly, gender-neutral name with English roots
English
American
Australian
Playful
Modern
Bold
Earthy
Casual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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The Story of Bailey
Bailey originated as an English occupational surname for a bailiff, an official who managed estates, collected rents, or kept order in a town. The word derives from Old French baillis and ultimately Latin bajulus, meaning carrier or manager. By the 20th century, Bailey had transitioned from surname to given name, first for boys and then overwhelmingly for girls.
Bailey rose sharply as a girl's name in the 1990s and early 2000s, peaking around 2007 in the US Top 50. It benefited from the era's trend of gender-neutral surname names (Taylor, Madison, Morgan). The character Bailey on Grey's Anatomy (debuting 2005) gave it extra cultural traction.
Bailey carries a distinctly American, outdoorsy, friendly energy. The Old Bailey is London's famous criminal court, reminding us of the name's deep roots in English legal tradition.
Historical Record
Bailey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1956.
Over 109,332 babies have been named Bailey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Bailey is past its peak , currently ranked #182 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Miranda Bailey is one of the most beloved characters on Grey's Anatomy
- Bailey was originally an exclusively male name in the US before 1980
- The Old Bailey is London's famous criminal court, named for the street's bailiff history
Bailey in Other Languages
French
Bailey
German
Bailey
Spanish
Bailey
Australian English
Bailey
Popularity Over Time
#182
Current Rank
Peaked 1998
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Bailey
B
Bailey Mosier
Entertainer
1988
American country music TV host and podcast personality
M
Miranda Bailey Fictional
Other
Fictional chief of surgery on Grey's Anatomy, played by Chandra Wilson
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #182
- Total SSA Count
- 1,644
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Bay
Bail
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Bailey
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Bailey is also used as a boy name, ranked #1270.
View Bailey as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bailey
What does the name Bailey mean?
"fortification wall" (from Old French). Bailey originated as an English occupational surname for a bailiff, an official who managed estates, collected rents, or kept order in a town. The word derives from Old French baillis and ultimately Latin bajulus, meaning carrier or manager. By the 20th century, Bailey had transitioned from surname to given name, first for boys and then overwhelmingly for girls.
What is the origin of the name Bailey?
Bailey has Old French, English, American, and Australian origins. In Old French, it means "fortification wall".
Is Bailey a boy or girl name?
Bailey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #182. As a boy name, it is ranked #1270. Bailey is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Bailey?
Bailey is pronounced b-AYL-ee.
How popular is the name Bailey?
Bailey is currently ranked #182 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Bailey?
Common nicknames for Bailey include Bay and Bail.
What are good middle names for Bailey?
Popular middle name pairings include Bailey Mae, Bailey Jo, Bailey Rose, Bailey Grace, Bailey Anne, and Bailey Jean.
What are good sibling names for Bailey?
Names that pair well with Bailey as siblings include Brooke, Riley, Chase, Parker, Avery, and Taylor.
How many syllables does Bailey have?
Bailey has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Bailey a common or rare name?
Bailey is a popular name, ranked #182 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Bailey?
About the Name Bailey
Bailey is a girl name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "fortification wall" in Old French .
Is Bailey a boy or girl name? Bailey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #182 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,270. Bailey is more commonly used as a girl name.
Bailey is currently ranked #182 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Bailey has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-AYL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Bailey include Bay and Bail. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Bailey include Bailee, Baila, Baileigh . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis