Chesley Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Chesley is an Old English name meaning 'clearing by the fortress.' It evolved from the Old English 'Ceasterleah' and reflects a historical connection to natural landscapes. The name is considered traditional and carries connotations of strength and stability. It has no biblical background and gained popularity in the 19th century, with notable people like Chesley Sullenberger contributing to its modern recognition.
The name Chesley is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Chesley has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Chesley' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1142nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1291st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1717th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2445th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3718th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8101st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11453rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 12526th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6884th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4527th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 11820th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 12951st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Chesley' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Chesley"
Pronunciation
/ˈtʃɛzli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Chesley is derived from the Old English elements 'ceaster,' meaning 'fortress' or 'city,' and 'leah,' meaning 'woodland' or 'clearing.' Together, they imply a meaning related to a clearing by a fortress.
Meaning
Clearing by the fortress
Language Evolution
Ceasterleah (Old English), Chesley (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Chesley gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a given name and surname.
Variants & Derivatives
Ches, Chesly
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Chesley is perceived as a traditional and somewhat unique name, often associated with a sense of heritage and strength.
Famous People
Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger, an American airline captain and author known for landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River.
Explore More Chesley Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Chesley"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Chesley"
"Chesley" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1142nd of 7545 | 609 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1291st of 6773 | 516 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1717th of 7552 | 395 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2445th of 10718 | 250 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3718th of 16616 | 224 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8101st of 24088 | 126 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 11453rd of 23106 | 56 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 12526th of 12526 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6884th of 19264 | 101 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4527th of 27321 | 318 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 11820th of 35406 | 121 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 12951st of 30306 | 75 |
Regional Popularity of "Chesley" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
91.44% 1261st/1379 |
55.45% 1312th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
61.62% 1450th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
70.66% 2016th/2853 |
57.80% 1604th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
55.60% 2888th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Chesley" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
60.40% 3137th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Chesley"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Chesley" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.