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Hadley

♂ Boy

Pronounced HAD-lee /ˈhæd.li/High

Meaning: From an English place-name — Old English haeth, 'heather/heath', plus leah, 'meadow, clearing' — 'the heather meadow'; here for boysMedium

In 30 seconds: Heather-soft and sleek: Hadley is the English 'heather meadow'. Used for both sexes; here for boys, fresh and warm.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningFrom an English place-name — Old English haeth, 'heather/heath', plus leah, 'meadow, clearing' — 'the heather meadow'; here for boys

U.S. rank (2025)#6938 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births12 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,096

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

Hadley comes from an English place-name — Old English haeth, 'heather, heath', plus leah, 'meadow, clearing' — 'the heather meadow'. A soft, modern surname-name, used for both sexes, here for boys.

It registers thinly for boys. Rare for boys, the-heather-meadow at the root, and sleek.

Did you know? Hadley means 'the heather meadow' or 'heath clearing' (Old English) — a soft surname-name (Hemingway's first wife Hadley), used for both sexes.

Overall data confidence 68%

Behind the Name — Hadley — root etymology

Variations

HadleighHadlee

Nicknames

Had

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By themeenglish unisex surname-name nature place-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hadley mean?

Hadley is English for 'the heather meadow, heath clearing'.

How do you pronounce Hadley?

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

Is Hadley a boy or girl name?

Hadley is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Hadley?

Hadley is rare for boys in the U.S.