Bailey
Meaning of Bailey
Bailey began as an English occupational surname, drawn from Middle English baili—ultimately the Anglo-French bailli—signifying a bailiff responsible for local law and ledgers. Adopted as a given name in the United States, it hovered in obscurity until the mid-1980s, then advanced steadily, peaking at No. 60 for girls in 1998 and stabilizing around the mid-100s in recent years. The data point to a name that achieved fashionable visibility without the short half-life of many trend items. Though technically unisex, modern usage tilts female, buoyed by pop-culture references ranging from Dr. Miranda Bailey in “Grey’s Anatomy” to the loyal dog of “A Dog’s Purpose.” Phonetically simple—BAY-lee—yet backed by an etymology of civic duty, it conveys both approachability and understated authority, should its bearer prefer issuing directives to fetching sticks. In sum, Bailey offers an Anglo-American choice that is familiar but not over-saturated, blending medieval bureaucracy with contemporary charm.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as BAY-lee (/ˈbeɪli/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Bailey
| Bailey Howell - Bailey E. Howell is an American former NBA star, a six-time All-Star and two-time champion who played 12 seasons, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997, and was nicknamed Buckshot for his inside scoring. |
| Bailey De Young is an American actress known for roles on Bunheads, Faking It, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. |
