Farley Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Farley is an Old English name meaning 'fern clearing'. It evolved from early forms like Fearnleah and Farnleah to its modern iteration. The name is characterized by its connection to nature and tranquility, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity during the Middle Ages and experienced a revival in the 19th century. Today, it is perceived as a traditional name with a vintage charm, associated with notable figures in entertainment and literature.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Farley"
Pronunciation
/ˈfɑrli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Farley is derived from the Old English elements 'fearn', meaning 'fern', and 'leah', meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow'. Thus, it can be interpreted to mean 'fern clearing' or 'meadow where ferns grow'.
Meaning
fern clearing
Language Evolution
Fearnleah, Farnleah, Farley
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages and has been used as both a surname and a given name. It saw a resurgence in the 19th century as surnames became more commonly used as first names.
Variants & Derivatives
Farlie, Farlea, Farli
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Farley is viewed as a quaint and somewhat traditional name, often associated with rural and pastoral imagery. It has a vintage charm and is less commonly used today, giving it a unique quality.
Famous People
Farley Granger, Chris Farley, Farley Mowat
📊 Farley Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Farley Name Visualizations
✨ Farley Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 39 peak births in 1952
Geographic Spread
Popular across 6 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Farley" - Complete Guide (1 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Farley". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 1 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Farley" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Farley"
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 "Farley"
"Farley" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2871st of 7545 | 132 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2658th of 6773 | 151 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1522nd of 7552 | 502 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3054th of 10718 | 177 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6617th of 16616 | 87 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 16359th of 23106 | 21 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 16521st of 19264 | 10 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 27734th of 30306 | 7 |
Regional Popularity of "Farley" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
95.07% 2237th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
60.84% 1355th/2227 |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
58.96% 1682nd/2853 |
51.57% 1431st/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
63.82% 2223rd/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Farley" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Farley"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Farley" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Farley" in the United States
The name Farley is most popular in Kentucky, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers 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, Farley has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Farley' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2871st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2658th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1522nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3054th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6617th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24088th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 16359th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 16521st out of 19264 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 27734th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Farley' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.