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Hensley

♀ Girl

Pronounced HENZ-lee /ˈhɛnz.li/High

Meaning: stallion's meadow or high estate clearingMedium

In 30 seconds: Hensley is an Old English surname meaning stallion's meadow, used as a given name for girls. It belongs to the popular family of -sley surname names that have surged for girls since the 2000s.

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Origin MediumOld English

Meaningstallion's meadow or high estate clearing

U.S. rank (2025)#2071 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births91 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2020

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,038

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

Hensley is an English place name and surname derived from Old English Hengest (stallion) and leah (meadow or clearing), meaning stallion's meadow or high estate. It has been an English surname since medieval times.

Hensley began appearing as a given name for girls in the 21st century, part of the broad trend of -sley and -leigh surname names that have become popular for girls including Kinsley, Paisley, and Ainsley.

Did you know? Hengest, the Old English root of Hensley, was also the name of a legendary Anglo-Saxon warlord — brother of Horsa — who according to tradition led the first Germanic settlers to Britain in the 5th century.

Overall data confidence 72%

Hanks & Hodges, Dictionary of First Names — reference for HensleyUS Social Security Name Database — U.S. popularity data

Variations

HensleyHensleeHensleigh

Nicknames

HensLeighHenni

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If you like Hensley…

Kinsley— popular -sley surname name for girls

Paisley— classic -sley surname name for girls

Ainsley— Old English -sley name used for girls

Weslie— similar -sley feminine given name

Tinley— trending -ley surname name for girls

Explore names like Hensley

By thememodern surname-name two-syllable old-english meadow

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Frequently Asked

What does Hensley mean?

Hensley means stallion's meadow, from the Old English Hengest (stallion) and leah (meadow or clearing).

How do you pronounce Hensley?

Hensley is pronounced HENZ-lee (/ˈhɛnz.li/), with two syllables.

Is Hensley a girl's name?

Hensley is used as a girl's name in modern American naming, part of the -sley surname trend.

How popular is the name Hensley?

Hensley has grown in popularity for girls since the 2010s alongside similar -sley names.