"hay meadow, hay clearing"
Origin: Old English place name (haeg + leah)
Language: English
Hailey
Pronunciation: [ h-AYL-ee ]
Does Hailey flow with your last name?
A breezy meadow name that defined a generation
English
American
Australian
Modern
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"hero, heroine (variant of Hayley)"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: English
"hay meadow"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
"hay clearing"
Origin: Old English haeg + leah
Language: English
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The Story of Hailey
Hailey is one of several spellings of a name derived from the Old English surname Hailey or Haley, meaning hay clearing or hay meadow. The elements hay meaning hay and leah meaning clearing, meadow, or wood combine to form this pleasant pastoral surname. It transitioned from a surname to a given name in the 20th century, gaining explosive popularity in its many spelling variants.
Hailey and its variants (Hayley, Haley, Haleigh, Hailee) collectively dominated the US top 100 from the late 1980s through the 2010s. The spelling Hailey has been the most popular variant since around 2005, driven partly by Hailey Baldwin (now Bieber) and the general appeal of breezy, two-syllable names ending in the -lee sound.
Hailey represents a generation of American girls born in the 1990s and 2000s. The name (in its various spellings) was so ubiquitous that it became a marker of its era. Hailey Baldwin Bieber, wife of Justin Bieber, has kept the specific spelling Hailey in the spotlight.
Historical Record
Hailey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1963.
Over 178,851 babies have been named Hailey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hailey is past its peak , currently ranked #100 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Hailey and its variants Haley, Hayley, and Haleigh collectively rank as one of the top 20 most popular names of the 1990s-2000s
- Halley's Comet (not the same spelling) is named for astronomer Edmond Halley, adding scientific prestige to the sound
- Hailey Baldwin married Justin Bieber in 2018, becoming Hailey Bieber
Hailey in Other Languages
French
Hailey
English
Hayley
Spanish
Hailey
Australian
Hayley
Popularity Over Time
#100
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2010
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hailey
H
Hailey Bieber
Other
1996
American model and media personality, daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin and wife of pop star Justin Bieber
H
Hailee Steinfeld
Actor
1996
American actress and singer who received an Academy Award nomination for True Grit at age 14
H
Hailey Baldwin
Other
1996
American model who has appeared on covers of major fashion magazines including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar
H
Hailey Baldwin Bieber
Entertainer
1996
American model and television personality, wife of musician Justin Bieber
H
Hayley Mills
Actor
1946
British actress who became a child star in Pollyanna and The Parent Trap (1961)
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Compare Hailey with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #100
- Total SSA Count
- 2,620
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Hails
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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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 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hailey
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Hailey is also used as a boy name, ranked #20463.
View Hailey as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hailey
What does the name Hailey mean?
"hay meadow, hay clearing" (from Old English place name (haeg + leah)). "hero, heroine (variant of Hayley)" (from Old Norse). "hay meadow" (from Old English). "hay clearing" (from Old English haeg + leah). Hailey is one of several spellings of a name derived from the Old English surname Hailey or Haley, meaning hay clearing or hay meadow. The elements hay meaning hay and leah meaning clearing, meadow, or wood combine to form this pleasant pastoral surname. It transitioned from a surname to a given name in the 20th century, gaining explosive popularity in its many spelling variants.
What is the origin of the name Hailey?
Hailey has Old English place name (haeg + leah), Old Norse, Old English, Old English haeg + leah, English, American, and Australian origins. In Old English place name (haeg + leah), it means "hay meadow, hay clearing". In Old Norse, it means "hero, heroine (variant of Hayley)". In Old English, it means "hay meadow". In Old English haeg + leah, it means "hay clearing".
Is Hailey a boy or girl name?
Hailey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #100. As a boy name, it is ranked #20463. Hailey is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Hailey?
Hailey is pronounced h-AYL-ee.
How popular is the name Hailey?
Hailey is currently ranked #100 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hailey?
Common nicknames for Hailey include Hails.
What are good middle names for Hailey?
Popular middle name pairings include Hailey Grace, Hailey Rose, Hailey Ann, Hailey Marie, Hailey Elizabeth, Hailey Jean, and Hailey Nicole.
What are good sibling names for Hailey?
Names that pair well with Hailey as siblings include Kaylee, Ashley, Taylor, Brooke, Megan, Tyler, and Austin.
How many syllables does Hailey have?
Hailey has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Hailey a common or rare name?
Hailey is a very popular name, ranked #100 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Hailey?
About the Name Hailey
Hailey is a girl name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "hay meadow, hay clearing" in Old English place name (haeg + leah) .
Is Hailey a boy or girl name? Hailey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #100 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,463. Hailey is more commonly used as a girl name.
Hailey is currently ranked #100 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Hailey has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-AYL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Hailey include Hails. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Hailey include Hailee, Hailie . 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