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Chesley

♂ Boy

Pronounced CHEZ-lee /ˈtʃɛz.li/High

Meaning: Chesley is an English surname from a place name, generally read as an Old English compound with leah, 'clearing, meadow' - the first element usually taken as ceastel ('heap of stones, gravel') or a form related to 'camp'. It moved into use as a given name, most famously borne by pilot Chesley Sullenberger.Low

In 30 seconds: Chesley is an English place-and-surname name, ending in the Old English leah - 'meadow, clearing' (said 'CHEZ-lee').

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningChesley is an English surname from a place name, generally read as an Old English compound with leah, 'clearing, meadow' - the first element usually taken as ceastel ('heap of stones, gravel') or a form related to 'camp'. It moved into use as a given name, most famously borne by pilot Chesley Sullenberger.

U.S. rank (2021)#9904 ↘ Falling

2021 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1923

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,283

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Chesley comes from an English place name turned surname, built on the Old English leah, 'clearing, meadow'. The first element is usually explained as ceastel, 'heap of stones, gravel', though readings differ, and we note that plainly. Chesley crossed into given-name use in America, where it is best known as the first name of the pilot Chesley Sullenberger. Today it is rare (said 'CHEZ-lee').

It appears only very rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, surname-style, and old-fashioned in a quiet way.

Did you know? The -ley in Chesley is the Old English leah, 'a clearing in the wood' - the same element in Ashley, Bradley and Shirley. The first half is less settled, which we note (said 'CHEZ-lee').

Overall data confidence 45%

References - Chesley — English place/surname; Old English leah 'clearing'; first element debated.

Variations

CheslyCheslieChessley

Nicknames

ChesChetLee

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Chesley…

Wesley— a near-rhyme with the same -ley ending

Bradley— a fellow Old English -leah surname name

Chester— shares the Ches- opening

Presley— a like surname-turned-given-name

Explore names like Chesley

By themeenglish surname-name place-name rare

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Chesley mean?

Chesley is an English place name and surname built on the Old English leah, 'clearing, meadow'. The first element is usually read as 'gravel' or 'camp', though readings differ.

How do you pronounce Chesley?

It's said CHEZ-lee /ˈtʃɛz.li/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Chesley a boy or girl name?

Chesley is used as a boy's name, though it has seen occasional use for girls.

How popular is Chesley?

Chesley is very rare for boys in the U.S. today.