Hadley is an uncommon given name of English origin, derived from Old English words 'hæð' meaning 'heath' and 'lēah' signifying 'woodland clearing'. This name was historically used as a surname, but has become increasingly popular as a given name in recent decades. It is often associated with Ernest Hemingway's wife, Mary Welsh Hadley, who traveled extensively with him during the 1940s and 1950s. The name gained further popularity after being used for characters in several works of fiction, including the novel "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath and the TV series "Gilmore Girls".
"Hadly is a relatively uncommon name, with only 29 recorded births over the span of ten years (2011-2020). The most popular year for the name was 2013 and 2014, each having 6 births. Interestingly, there were no reported births with this name in the years between 2011 and 2018."