Etymology

Hailey (pronounced “HAY lee”) is a popular first name for girls, but is also used a surname or boy’s given name. It is a name of old English origin, meaning “from the hay meadow.”

However, an alternate theory is that Hailey comes from the Norse word “haela” which means “hero.”

Origin and History

The name Hailey first appeared in Scandinavia, giving weight to the theory that the name originated from the Norse language.

Popularity

The popularity of the name skyrocketed in the early 1960s with the success of film actress Hayley Mills, who achieved fame at a young age in “Pollyanna” and “The Parent Trap.”

The name began to increase in popularity again in the early 1990’s and today remains one the of the top girls names in English-speaking countries.

Fascinating Facts

Hayley Stadium is a speedway track in the city of Newport.

Hayley Records is a specialty UK record company which releases rare and collectible music.

Rap artist Eminem named his daughter Hailie and released a number of songs about her.

Fictional Haileys include the character of Hailey Nichol from the television series “The O.C.”

Namesakes

Halley’s Comet, named after Edmond Halley is a famous periodic comet which is visible to the naked eye. It last appeared in 1986 and expected to return in 2061.

There is a City of Hailey in Idaho and a town of Haileyville in Oklahoma

The “Hailey’s” club in Texas is a renowned live music venue.

Hailey-Hailey is a rare, genetic skin disease, named after the Hailey brothers who described it in 1939.

USS Hailey is a US Navy destroyer.

Famous Persons

Actress Hayley Mills (born April 18, 1946); actor Haley Joel Osment (born April 18, 1988), notorious for his role in the film “The Sixth Sense”; actress Hayley Tamaddon (born January 24, 1977) from TV’s Emmerdale; best-selling author Elizabath Forsyth Hailey (born August 31, 1938); rock musician Bill Haley (born July 6, 1925).

Name Variants

The most popular alternative spelling is Hayley, but there are many other variations, including Haley, Haylee, Halee, Hayleigh, Hailee, Hailly, Haylea, Haylie, Halley, Hayley, Hali, Haeli, Haly.