Bailey is a given name of English origin, derived from the occupational surname Bailey, which means "bailiff" or "law enforcement officer." The term bailiff originally referred to a person who managed an estate or maintained order in a courtroom.
The use of Bailey as a personal name began in the late 19th century and became more popular in the mid-20th century. It has since gained significant popularity, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
While Bailey is traditionally considered a boy's name due to its historical association with law enforcement roles, it has also been used as a girl's name in recent years. The name Bailey has no specific meaning when used as a given name, although it can be associated with the general idea of authority or responsibility.
The name Bailey has been popular among celebrities and public figures. Notable individuals named Bailey include American actor Bailey Chase, Canadian singer-songwriter Bahamas (whose real name is Afie Jurvanen), and Australian actress Bailey Noble.
In literature and popular culture, characters named Bailey have appeared in various works. One notable example is the protagonist of the novel "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel, whose full name is Piscine Molitor Patel, but who prefers to be called Pi or sometimes Bailey.
Overall, Bailey is a versatile and timeless name with an interesting history rooted in English occupational terminology. Its popularity as both a boy's and girl's name reflects its appealing sound and the positive associations it can evoke.
The statistics presented show the annual number of babies named Bailey born in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to around 1950, the number of births with the name Bailey fluctuated between single digits and double digits, ranging from a low of 5 births in 1903 to a high of 44 births in 1924. During this period, Bailey was not a very common name.
However, starting around 1950, there was a significant increase in the number of babies named Bailey. The number of births peaked at 2296 in 1997 and reached another high of 1010 births in 1995. This trend suggests that Bailey became more popular as a name during this time.
Since around 2000, the popularity of the name Bailey has decreased somewhat, with fewer than 200 births per year since 2008. In recent years, the number of babies named Bailey has stabilized at around 100-150 births per year.
In total, between 1880 and 2023, there were 21,448 babies born in the United States with the name Bailey. This statistic provides insight into the changing popularity of the name over time and demonstrates that while Bailey was once a relatively uncommon name, it has since become more popular and is now a well-established choice for parents naming their children.