The name Manley is of English origin and means "of Man, the island in the Orkney Islands." It was originally given as a habitational name to someone from Man, the largest island in the Orkneys archipelago located off the north coast of Scotland. The name may also have been derived from an Old Norse personal name, Mani, which means "moon" or "stone," and would have been given as a nickname rather than a habitational surname.
The surname Manley is believed to have originated in the 13th century when individuals were identified by their place of origin. The name Manley is still most commonly found in England today, particularly in the northern counties, reflecting its historical origins. However, it can also be found in other parts of the world where English settlers brought the name with them.
Manley as a first name is less common than the surname but has been used throughout history. It was sometimes given to boys born on Man Island or named after someone from there. The name Manley may also have been used as an anglicized form of the Old Norse personal name, Mani.
The name Manley experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over time, with a total of 2251 births recorded from 1880 to 2023. The peak years for the name were during World War I, notably 1917 and 1918 with 61 births each. However, from the mid-20th century onwards, the number of births with the name Manley steadily declined, with fewer than 10 births per year recorded in most years since 1950, and as low as 5 births in recent years like 2007, 2008, and 2022.