Hanley is of English origin, derived from an Old English personal (byname) name Hæneleah, which means "hog meadow." The name has been used historically as a surname but has also made appearances as a given name in recent years. It is often associated with the Hanley family, who were prominent landowners in medieval England.
"From 1995 to 2023, the name Hanley experienced varying popularity, with peaks in recent years (highest in 2011 and 2014), but overall maintained a steady presence among newborns."