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Henley

♀ Girl

Pronounced HEN-lee /ˈhɛn.li/High

Meaning: High clearing or tall meadow; from Old English heah (high) + leah (clearing, meadow)Medium

In 30 seconds: An English place-name surname meaning 'high clearing,' best known for Henley-on-Thames — home of the Royal Henley Regatta. As a girls' name it sits in the same preppy Southern tier as Hadley, Sutton, and Finley.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningHigh clearing or tall meadow; from Old English heah (high) + leah (clearing, meadow)

U.S. rank (2025)#1001 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births252 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,723

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

Henley is an English topographic surname from Old English heah (high) and leah (woodland clearing or meadow). Several English villages bear the name, the most famous being Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, host of the Royal Henley Regatta since 1839.

Henley appeared in U.S. girls' birth data in the 2010s as part of the -ley-ending surname trend. It ranked #956 for girls in 2024, sitting alongside Hadley, Oakley, and Finley in the preppy English surname name category.

Did you know? The Henley Royal Regatta, held on the Thames since 1839, is one of England's most prestigious rowing events and a centerpiece of the British summer social season — giving the name an association with elegance and sporting tradition.

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name — Henley — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

HenlyHenleeHenleigh

Nicknames

HenHennie

Famous Bearers

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If you like Henley…

Hadley— -ley Old English place-name surname popular for girls in the same trend

Oakley— -ley place-name surname in the same preppy outdoor category

Harley— two-syllable -ley name with similar sound and feel

Brinley— modern -ley girl name from the same naming wave

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Henley mean?

Henley means 'high clearing' or 'tall meadow,' from Old English heah (high) and leah (clearing).

How do you pronounce Henley?

It's said HEN-lee — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Henley a boy or girl name?

Henley appears primarily in girls' data in recent U.S. charts.

How popular is Henley?

Henley ranked #956 for U.S. girls in 2024.