Morley Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Morley has its roots in Old English, meaning 'moor clearing'. It has evolved through various historical forms and is connected to traits of nature and landscape. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name. Morley gained popularity as a surname in medieval England before being adopted as a first name. It is currently perceived as a traditional name, commonly linked to English heritage, and is borne by notable individuals.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Morley"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɔːrli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Morley is derived from the Old English elements 'mor' meaning 'moor' and 'leah' meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow'. It originally referred to someone who lived near a moor or a clearing in a forest.
Meaning
moor clearing
Language Evolution
Morlea, Morleah, Morley
Historical Usage
The name Morley gained popularity as a surname in England during the medieval period and later transitioned into use as a given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Morleigh, Morrley, Mory
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Morley is seen as a traditional and somewhat uncommon name, often associated with heritage and English roots.
Famous People
Morley Safer, Morley P. Horder
📊 Morley Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Morley Name Visualizations
✨ Morley Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 24 peak births in 1925
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in Michigan
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Morley"
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 "Morley"
"Morley" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2248th of 7545 | 211 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2109th of 6773 | 225 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4091st of 7552 | 66 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 9331st of 10718 | 10 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22675th of 24088 | 6 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 8441st of 9107 | 7 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 26403rd of 35406 | 17 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 20416th of 30306 | 24 |
Regional Popularity of "Morley" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
67.37% 954th/1416 |
- | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
73.67% 1139th/1546 |
75.26% 1171st/1556 |
- |
60.50% 936th/1547 |
| 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Morley" 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 "Morley"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Morley" 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 "Morley" in the United States
The name Morley is most popular in Michigan, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the West 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, Morley has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, 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 West. Across generations, 'Morley' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2248th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2109th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4091st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 9331st out of 10718 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 22675th out of 24088 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 8441st out of 9107 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 26403rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 20416th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Morley' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.