Rawley is of Old English origin, derived from the elements 'hrægl' meaning 'garment' and 'lēah' signifying 'woodland clearing.' The name Rawley was once a regional surname, but has since evolved into a given name. It is pronounced ROW-lee and rhymes with cowbell. Rawley is rare, yet it possesses a certain charm and uniqueness that sets it apart from more common names.
The name Rawley experienced a significant increase in popularity from the mid-20th century onwards, with a notable spike starting around the year 2000. Between 2000 and 2022, there were consistently high numbers of babies named Rawley each year, peaking at 23 births in 2022. However, before this period, the name's usage was quite sporadic, with some years having no recorded births and others having fewer than five. The total number of births for the name Rawley from 1916 to 2023 is 489.