Entry № 0165 · English origin

Hadley Hadley — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ HAD-lee /
Gender
Girl
Origin
English
Meaning
"Heather meadow"
Syllables
2
Rank · US 2025
№ 118
First recorded
Surname: medieval

A name that means "heather meadow".

Hadley is an Old English place name and surname — from hǣð (heather) and lēah (clearing, meadow). The original sense is a meadow covered in heather. The name appears in English records from the medieval period as a surname.

Hadley has been used as a first name since the 2000s, particularly in the U.S., where it now sits in the top 120. The actress Daisy Ridley's character in the Star Wars films is not Hadley — but the name belongs to the same modern wave of surname-as-first-name choices.

A meadow of heather. Old English place become modern American girl's name.

Where Hadley stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 118 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 92 in 2017
Babies named Hadley · last year
2,547 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
2007
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · №92 NOW · №118

Hadleys before her.

Real people
Hadley Richardson
First wife of Ernest Hemingway. Subject of Paula McLain's novel The Paris Wife.
1891 – 1979
In fiction
Hadley
Common contemporary character name.

Names connected to Hadley.

The number behind Hadley.

9

The Humanitarian

Hadley reduces to nine — the number of generosity and quiet completion.

Why families chose this name.

"Old name, fresh use. We loved that combination."
Erin · Mother of one · Atlanta