Carley is a name of English origin, derived from the word "carline," which is an archaic term for a small group of people. It is also sometimes associated with the Gaelic surname "Carley" or "Carlyle," which means "from the marketplace."
The name Carley has no specific meaning in itself, but its association with the word "carline" suggests a connection to community and group identity. It is a unisex name, although it is more commonly used for girls.
There is no significant historical figure or event associated specifically with the name Carley. However, the surname Carlyle has been notable in Scottish history, as Sir Thomas Carlyle was a prominent 19th-century historian and writer.
In recent years, the name Carley has gained some popularity, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is often used as an alternative to more common names like Caroline or Carrie, but it remains relatively rare compared to these names.
Overall, Carley is a unique and distinctive name with a subtle and somewhat mysterious origin. While it does not have a specific meaning or history attached to it, its association with community and identity may make it appealing to parents looking for a name that is meaningful yet unusual.
The name Carley experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable increase from the late 1970s onwards. Between 1921 and 1945, the number of annual births with the name Carley was consistently low, ranging from 5 to 15 per year. However, starting in 1973, there was a substantial rise in its popularity, reaching 61 births that year. This trend continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, peaking at 713 births in 1998. After the turn of the millennium, the name's popularity began to decline again, falling from a high of 687 births in 2000 to just 61 births in 2023. In total, there were 16,796 births with the name Carley between 1921 and 2023.