Oakley is a unisex given name of English origin. It means "from the oak wood" or "meadow of oak trees." The name Oakley is derived from the Old English words "āc" meaning "oak" and "leah" meaning "woodland clearing." This name has a strong connection to nature, particularly oak trees, which are known for their strength and longevity.
The use of Oakley as a given name is relatively recent. It was not commonly used until the late 20th century, when it began to gain popularity due to its association with outdoor lifestyles and appreciation for nature. Today, Oakley is often chosen by parents who want to give their child a unique, nature-inspired name.
In terms of its history, there are no notable figures in history or literature named Oakley. However, the name has gained some recognition through the Oakley sunglasses company, founded in 1975. Despite this association with eyewear, the name Oakley is not typically associated with any specific career or profession.
In summary, Oakley is a unique and nature-inspired given name of English origin that means "from the oak wood" or "meadow of oak trees." Its use as a given name has increased in recent decades due to its association with outdoor lifestyles and appreciation for nature. While there are no notable historical figures named Oakley, the name has gained some recognition through the Oakley sunglasses company.
The name Oakley has seen significant fluctuations and overall growth in popularity over the past century. Initially starting with a consistent but low number of births annually (6-7) from 1913 to 1928, it experienced a gap before resurfacing in 1983 with 6 births.
The real surge began in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with a steady increase each year. This trend accelerated significantly around 2007, marking the start of an exponential growth period that peaked recently in 2022 and 2023 with over 1800 births each year.
In total, there have been 11515 births named Oakley since 1913. This data indicates a strong and continuing trend towards increased popularity for the name Oakley.