What Does the Name Hailey Mean?
Hailey is a girl's name of Old English origin meaning “"Hay clearing" or "hay meadow".”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Hailey |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Old English |
| Meaning | "Hay clearing" or "hay meadow" |
| Variants | Haley, Haylee, Hayley, Hailee |
| Popularity | A US top-100 girls' name for the past two decades, with many spelling variants. |
The meaning and origin of Hailey
The name Hailey means “"Hay clearing" or "hay meadow"” and has Old English origins. Originally an English surname and place name from Old English 'hēg' (hay) + 'lēah' (clearing, meadow). It became a popular girls' given name in the late 20th century.
Variants and related names
Hailey is related to several other names you may recognize: Haley, Haylee, Hayley, Hailee. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Hailey?
A US top-100 girls' name for the past two decades, with many spelling variants.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hailey mean?+
The name Hailey means “"Hay clearing" or "hay meadow"” and is of Old English origin.
What is the origin of the name Hailey?+
Hailey originates from Old English.
Is Hailey a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Hailey has trended in the US over time.
Hailey by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press