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Home › Baby Names Directory › Dudley

Dudley

♂ Boy

Pronounced DUD-lee /ˈdʌd.li/High

Meaning: From an English place/surname — the Old English Duddanleah, 'Dudda's meadow/clearing' (a personal name + leah, 'meadow'); we note the placeLow

In 30 seconds: Dudda's meadow; a clearing: Dudley is English. Crisp, retro, and warm.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom an English place/surname — the Old English Duddanleah, 'Dudda's meadow/clearing' (a personal name + leah, 'meadow'); we note the place
U.S. rank (2024)#8471 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1931
Total births (all-time)≈ 11,863

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 193118802024

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

Dudley comes from an English place/surname — the Old English Duddanleah, 'Dudda's meadow/clearing' (a personal name + leah, 'meadow'; we note the place). A crisp, retro name (said 'DUD-lee').

In the U.S. it peaked early-century and is now retro. Dudda's-meadow at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Dudley comes from the Old English Duddanleah, 'Dudda's meadow/clearing' — a crisp, retro place/surname (we note the place; said 'DUD-lee').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Dudley — place/surname

Variations

DudlyDudleigh

Nicknames

Dud

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dudley…

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Dudley mean?

Dudley is an English place/surname — Old English 'Dudda's meadow/clearing'. We note the place.

How do you pronounce Dudley?

It's said DUD-lee /ˈdʌd.li/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Dudley a boy or girl name?

Dudley is a boy's name.

How popular is Dudley?

Dudley is a rare name today, retro.

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