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 name Bailey experienced a significant increase in popularity throughout the late 19th to early 21st centuries. Initially, there were only single-digit births per year from 1880 to around 1960, with a notable peak of 26 births in 1967. However, starting in the late 1960s and continuing through the 1970s, Bailey's popularity began to rise steadily, reaching double digits consistently by the early 1980s.
From 1980 onwards, there was a marked increase in the number of births given the name Bailey. The most significant spike occurred between 1994 and 1997, with over 2000 births each year during this period. This trend continued until around 2005, after which popularity declined steadily but remained consistently high, with hundreds of babies named Bailey each year until the early 2020s.
In total, there have been 21,448 births given the name Bailey from 1880 to 2023. The highest single year was in 1996 with 2296 births, and the most recent data shows 151 births in 2023. Overall, Bailey's popularity has grown significantly over time, becoming a well-established name choice for newborns since the late 20th century.