"woodland clearing by a church"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Presley
Pronunciation: [ pr-EHSL-ee ]
Does Presley flow with your last name?
The King's surname, now a girl's rock-star name
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Presley
Presley is an English place-name surname, derived from Old English 'preost' (priest) and 'leah' (woodland clearing, meadow) — so it originally referred to a meadow belonging to a priest. As a family surname, it was most famously carried by Elvis Aaron Presley. Since Elvis's death in 1977, Presley has steadily moved from surname to given name, particularly for girls, where its music-royalty connection and lilting two-syllable sound made it attractive.
Presley became a popular girls' name in the US during the 2000s and 2010s, rising particularly after Lisa Marie Presley named her daughter Riley Keough — reinforcing the family connection. Music-themed surname names (Lennon, Hendrix, Bowie) have all ridden similar waves, and Presley sits comfortably among them.
Elvis Presley is arguably the most famous musician in American history, the 'King of Rock and Roll.' Choosing the name Presley is essentially honoring a defining figure of 20th-century American culture. Elvis sold over one billion records — more than any other solo artist.
Historical Record
Presley first appeared in US Social Security records in 1977.
Over 30,411 babies have been named Presley in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Presley is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #224 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elvis Presley sold over one billion records, more than any other solo recording artist
- Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis's daughter, passed the surname to another generation of entertainers
- Presley is part of a trend of rock legend surnames becoming given names (Jagger, Hendrix, Lennon, Bowie)
Presley in Other Languages
French
Presley
Spanish
Presley
Portuguese
Presley
Popularity Over Time
#224
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Presley
L
Lisa Marie Presley
Musician
1968
Elvis's only daughter, a singer-songwriter and keeper of the Presley legacy
E
Elvis Presley
Musician
1935
The King of Rock and Roll, one of the most celebrated and influential musicians in history
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Compare Presley with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #224
- Total SSA Count
- 1,373
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pres
Lee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Presley
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Presley is also used as a boy name, ranked #1732.
View Presley as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Latin valere origin
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Hebrew via English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Presley
What does the name Presley mean?
"woodland clearing by a church" (from Old English). Presley is an English place-name surname, derived from Old English 'preost' (priest) and 'leah' (woodland clearing, meadow) — so it originally referred to a meadow belonging to a priest. As a family surname, it was most famously carried by Elvis Aaron Presley. Since Elvis's death in 1977, Presley has steadily moved from surname to given name, particularly for girls, where its music-royalty connection and lilting two-syllable sound made it attractive.
What is the origin of the name Presley?
Presley has Old English, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "woodland clearing by a church".
Is Presley a boy or girl name?
Presley is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #224. As a boy name, it is ranked #1732. Presley is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Presley?
Presley is pronounced pr-EHSL-ee.
How popular is the name Presley?
Presley is currently ranked #224 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Presley?
Common nicknames for Presley include Pres and Lee.
What are good middle names for Presley?
Popular middle name pairings include Presley Grace, Presley June, Presley Rae, Presley Jo, Presley Leigh, Presley Ann, and Presley Marie.
What are good sibling names for Presley?
Names that pair well with Presley as siblings include Memphis, Lennon, Hendrix, Jagger, Skylar, Bowie, Harlow, and Monroe.
How many syllables does Presley have?
Presley has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Presley a common or rare name?
Presley is a popular name, ranked #224 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Presley?
About the Name Presley
Presley is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "woodland clearing by a church" in Old English .
Is Presley a boy or girl name? Presley is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #224 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,732. Presley is more commonly used as a girl name.
Presley is currently ranked #224 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Presley has 2 syllables and is pronounced pr-EHSL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Presley include Pres and Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Presley include Preslee, Presleigh, Prescott, Preslie . 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