Stanley: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced STAN-lee · 2 syllables
Stanley means “stone; meadow”, from English.
From places in England, Old English stan (“stone”) + leah (“meadow”). Equivalent to stone + -ley (“lea”). * The given name has also been used as an anglicisation of Stanislaw, Stanislav and related names. The coastal town in Hong Kong is named after Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby.
- Meaning
- stone; meadow
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- STAN-lee
- US rank (2025)
- #863
- US babies a year
- about 306 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1910
- Style
- Vintage, Classic
How popular is Stanley?
Stanley was the #863 name in the US in 2025, given to 278 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 1910.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #863 |
| England & Wales | #74 |
| Scotland | #292 |
| Ireland | #551 |
| Canada | #917 |
| Australia | #454 |
How old are people named Stanley?
Half of US adults named Stanley are older than 68; most are between 32 and 86. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Stanley
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Stanley have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
- Alesha
- Tiger
- Stanford
- Frank
Names like Stanley
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
Questions about Stanley
What does the name Stanley mean?
Stanley means “stone; meadow”. It comes from English.
How do you pronounce Stanley?
Stanley is pronounced STAN-lee.
How popular is the name Stanley?
Stanley was the #863 name in the US in 2025, given to 278 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 1910.
How old are people named Stanley?
Half of US adults named Stanley are older than 68. Most are between 32 and 86.