The nameStanley
Stanley is an English place name and surname meaning "stony meadow". Popular in the early 20th century, it has come back in England and Wales.
- Boy's name
- English
Meaning
Stanley comes from the Old English stan, "stone", and leah, "clearing, meadow".
Origin
English, from a place name and surname.
History
The explorer Henry Morton Stanley, famous for "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?", made the surname a hero's name. Stanley was in the American top 100 from 1893 to 1960. In England and Wales it reached 59th place in 2015.
Did you know?
- The Stanley Cup of ice hockey is named after Lord Stanley, Governor General of Canada, who donated it in 1892.
Famous people named Stanley
- Stanley Kubrick, film director
- Stanley Baldwin, Prime Minister
- Stanley Matthews, footballer
- Stan Lee, comic book writer
Popularity of the name Stanley
Stanley in the United States
Stanley was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 57,364 births over the decade, 19% of all recorded babies named Stanley. Its rise began around 1910, and it peaked in 1954. Half of all babies named Stanley in the United States were born before 1944, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 310 births a year.
Stanley in the United Kingdom
Stanley was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 9,369 births over the decade, 55% of all recorded babies named Stanley. Half of all babies named Stanley in the United Kingdom were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 606 births a year on average, against 913 in the five years before.
Stanley in France
Sibling names for Stanley
Names from the same generation as Stanley, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Stanley? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Stanley with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Stanley side by side with the name of your choice.
Stanley in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Stanley mean?
Stanley comes from the Old English stan, "stone", and leah, "clearing, meadow".
What is the origin of the name Stanley?
English, from a place name and surname.
Is Stanley a girl's or a boy's name?
Stanley is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Stanley?
In 2024, Stanley was the 871st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 275 births.
What are good sibling names for Stanley?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Robyn, Joyce, Deborah and Marilyn for a sister, Harry, Nelson, Cedric and Eugene for a brother.
Who are famous people named Stanley?
Stanley Kubrick, film director; Stanley Baldwin, Prime Minister; Stanley Matthews, footballer; Stan Lee, comic book writer.