Henley

Pronunciation: [ h-EHNL-ee ]

Girl Name #959 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A breezy English meadow name with regatta elegance

English American

Modern Elegant Unique Sophisticated Earthy

Meaning & Origin

"high meadow"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

The Story of Henley

Henley is an English place name and surname derived from the Old English elements 'heah' (high) and 'leah' (woodland clearing, meadow), meaning 'high woodland clearing' or 'high meadow.' Several towns in England bear this name, most famously Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, home of the Royal Henley Regatta. As a first name, Henley is part of the contemporary trend of English place names and surnames being used for girls.

Henley began its rise as a girl's name in America around 2015, benefiting from the '-ley'/'-ly' ending trend that also drove Hailey, Hadley, and Harley into the top charts. It feels preppy and outdoorsy, evoking English countryside heritage.

The Royal Henley Regatta, held annually on the Thames since 1839, is one of England's most prestigious sporting events, synonymous with summer elegance and tradition. The name evokes a world of punting, champagne, and Edwardian charm. Don Henley of The Eagles has kept a similar name in American popular culture.

Fun Facts

The Royal Henley Regatta has been held since 1839 and is considered one of the world's premier rowing events
Don Henley of The Eagles shares a phonetically similar surname, keeping the name in musical consciousness
Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire is one of England's best-preserved medieval villages

Henley in Other Languages

Dutch Henley

French Henley

German Henley

English Henley

Spanish Henley

Famous People Named Henley

Don Henley

Musician

1947

Co-founder and drummer of The Eagles, whose solo hits include 'Boys of Summer' and 'The Heart of the Matter'

Henley (fictional) Fictional

Other

Character name used in various contemporary American young adult fiction to evoke a preppy, outdoorsy girl

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #959
Total SSA Count: 272
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Henlee #4687

Common Nicknames

Hen Lee

Pairs Well With

Henley Rose Henley Grace Henley Mae Henley Claire Henley Anne Henley Wren Henley Jane

Sibling Names

Hollis Waverly Hadley Whitley Finley Berkley Everly

Also a Boy Name

Henley is also used as a boy name, ranked #1876.

View Henley as a boy name →

Similar Names

Charlie Harvey Charley Hardy Raleigh Bailey Harlan Charlie

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Henley

What does the name Henley mean?

"high meadow" (from Old English). Henley is an English place name and surname derived from the Old English elements 'heah' (high) and 'leah' (woodland clearing, meadow), meaning 'high woodland clearing' or 'high meadow.' Several towns in England bear this name, most famously Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, home of the Royal Henley Regatta. As a first name, Henley is part of the contemporary trend of English place names and surnames being used for girls.

What is the origin of the name Henley?

Henley has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "high meadow".

Is Henley a boy or girl name?

Henley is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #959. As a boy name, it is ranked #1876. Henley is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Henley?

Henley is pronounced h-EHNL-ee.

How popular is the name Henley?

Henley is currently ranked #959 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Henley?

Common nicknames for Henley include Hen and Lee.

What are good middle names for Henley?

Popular middle name pairings include Henley Rose, Henley Grace, Henley Mae, Henley Claire, Henley Anne, Henley Wren, and Henley Jane.

What are good sibling names for Henley?

Names that pair well with Henley as siblings include Hollis, Waverly, Hadley, Whitley, Finley, Berkley, and Everly.

How many syllables does Henley have?

Henley has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Henley a common or rare name?

Henley is moderately common, ranked #959 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Henley

Henley is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "high meadow" in Old English .

Is Henley a boy or girl name? Henley is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #959 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,876. Henley is more commonly used as a girl name.

Henley is currently ranked #959 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Henley has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-EHNL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Henley include Hen and Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Henley include Henlee . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.