Hadley is an uncommon yet appealing given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word 'hað' meaning heather, a shrub widely known for its pinkish-mauve flowers and hardy nature. Historically, Hadley has been used as both a surname and a male given name in England. However, in recent years, it has gained popularity as a unisex given name, particularly in the United States. According to Social Security records, Hadley first appeared on the U.S. Baby Names list for girls in 2006 and for boys in 2012.
The name Hadley has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. According to the statistics provided, there were only 7 births with the name Hadley in 1964. However, by 2023, that number had risen to 2304 births.
The trend of increasing popularity began in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with a notable spike in 1994, when there were 123 births. This was followed by even more significant increases in the late 1990s and early 2000s, culminating in over 600 births per year from 2006 onwards.
The highest number of Hadley births recorded in a single year was in 2014, with 3015 babies given this name. Since then, the popularity of the name has remained high, with over 2000 births each year up until 2023.
Overall, since 1964, there have been a total of 41,935 babies named Hadley in the United States. This demonstrates that while it may not have been a popular choice for parents initially, the name Hadley has grown to become one of the more common names given to newborns in recent years.