Origin of the Name Hailey
Hailey is a variation of the name Haley. It originates from Northern England. It in particular comes from the surname Hale or Hales, which means that something lives in a nook, recess, or a remote valley.
It is also possible that the name derives from a place in Oxforshire with the same name. The name comes from two different words, heg, which means hay, and leah, which means wood, clearing, or meadow.
Together the names mean hayfield. It is also linked to an Old English words, hæeþ, which means hero and warrior.
The name began as a surname, and was often given to either the lord of the manor in Oxfordshire, whomever was the largest landowner, or when a person moved from one place to another. The latter was probably used for taxation purposes.
The 13th century is the earliest a recording of the name has been found in writing. Haley (or Haliey) started out as a surname. It going from a surname to a first name for girls is a recent phenomenon, and mostly has taken place in the U.S. and Canada.
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The Popularity of Hailey
The name may have started to become popular in 1986 when Halley’s comet caught the attention of North America. An event like that only happens every 75 years, and parents are always looking for unique names for their children, therefore Halley became Hailey.
That year over 3,000 babies were given some form of the name Halley. From there Hailey started to get even more popular around the 1990s and peaked in the early 2000’s. It is still a fairly popular name, but it’s popularity has waned a bit.
There are many popular variations of the name Hailey, but this (Hailey) is the most popular spelling.
Variations of the Name Hailey
- Hailee
- Haley
- Halee
- Haylee
- Hallie
- Haely
- Heyleigh
- Haylea
- Haily
- Haile
- Hailee
- Haelie
- Hayley
- Hally
- Halleigh
- Hallie
- Haylie
- Haleigh
- Hailea
- Hae;ey
- Halea
- Kalle
- Haley
- Halie
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Places Where Hailey is Popular
Currently the name is most popular in Canada, followed by The U.S., and The Netherlands.
Characteristics of the Name Hailey
If given the name Hailey a baby may be expected to be a humanitarian, community minded, family oriented, loving, affectionate, compassionate, and sensitive.
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Common Nicknames for Hailey
- Hail
- Lee or Leigh
- Hay or Hai
- Hai Hai or Hay Hay
- Hayes
- Hails, Hailz, Hales, or Hailes
- Hai Hai or Hay Hay
- Lee or Leigh
- Hailstorm
- Haybail or Hailbail
Famous People Named Hailey
Since the name has only recently become popular, most of the famous people with this name are under the age of 25.
Hailee Steinfeld
Is an American actress and singer. She is most known for her role as Mattie Ross in True Grit. She was nominated for multiple awards for this role, including an Academy Award. She was also in Pitch Perfect 2 and Pitch Perfect 3, which launched her singing career after recording the song “Flashlight”.
Haliey Baldwin
Is the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin. She is an American model. She is part of the famous Baldwin family. She has done campaigns for French Connection, Topshop, Tommy Hilfiger, and Moschino. She has appeared on magazines, such as Vogue, and Marie Claire.
Haliey Clauson
Is an American fashion model, who has been the face for Gucci, Jill Stuart, and DSquared2, She has walked for the likes of Calvin Klein, and has received many accolades.
Hailey Hatred
Is the stage name of an American professional wrestler (her real name is Angel Katherine Reece). She is a member of the Japanese promotion joshi puroresu.
She has held the Daily Sports Women’s Tag Team, IMW Hybrid Fighting, JWP Openweight, JWP Tag Team, TLW World Women’s and TLW World Women’s Tag Team Championship simultaneously.
Hailey Anne Nelson
Is an American actress, who has played roles in movies, such as Big Fish, Walk the Line, and Wild Tigers I have Known.
Hailey Gates
Is an American actress, model, and journalist. After graduating from college she was an editor for The Paris Review. She’s done modeling campaigns for Mui Mui, Target, and Costume National. She’s currently the host of Viceland’s States of Undress.
Hailey Duke
Is an American alpine skier, who skied at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
