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Manley
How to Pronounce Manley
Pronounced MAN-lee /ˈmæn.li/Medium
Meaning: Manley began as an English surname and place name from Old English gemæne, 'common, shared,' plus leah, 'wood or clearing' — a shared woodland. Some bearers also read it as 'manly,' but the place-name origin is the documented one.Low
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
Manley comes from an English place and surname, from Old English for a 'common wood or clearing,' though its sound also suggested 'manly' to American ears. It saw its steadiest use in the early twentieth century, peaking around 1927.
A Manley from the peak would be nearing a hundred today. The name reads as a solid grandfather-era surname-name and sits with the wider revival of -ley boys' names like Bradley and Wesley, though it remains uncommon.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Manley mean?
Manley is from an English place and surname meaning 'common wood or clearing.'
How do you pronounce Manley?
It's said MAN-lee /ˈmæn.li/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Manley a boy or girl name?
Manley is used as a boy's name, drawn from an English surname.
How popular is Manley?
Manley was a modest but steady boys' name that peaked in the late nineteen-twenties and has been rare since.