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Home › Baby Names Directory › Motley

Motley

♀ Girl

Pronounced MOT-lee /ˈmɒt.li/High

Meaning: From the word motley — 'multicolored; varied; of many parts' (the patchwork garb of a court jester); also an English surname; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Multicolored; varied: Motley is a word/surname. Bold, modern, and striking. Used for both sexes (here for girls; said 'MOT-lee').
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the word motley — 'multicolored; varied; of many parts' (the patchwork garb of a court jester); also an English surname; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#6824 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births17 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 83

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202320192024

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

Motley comes from the word motley — 'multicolored; varied; of many parts', famous as the patchwork costume of a court jester — and is also an English surname (routes layered, which we note honestly). A bold, modern name, used for both sexes, here for girls (slug distinguished; nickname Mott).

It registers very thinly in records. Rare, multicolored-and-varied at the root, and bold.

Did you know? Motley means 'multicolored; varied; of many parts' (the patchwork garb of a court jester) — also an English surname — a bold, modern word-name, used for both sexes (here for girls; the routes are layered; said 'MOT-lee').
Overall data confidence 35%
References — motley — word/surname; routes layered

Variations

MotlyMottley

Nicknames

Mott

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Motley…

Marley— a sound-neighbor -ley unisex girls' name
Oakley— a fellow -ley unisex girls' name
Everly— a companion modern girls' name
Harlow— another surname unisex girls' name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Motley mean?

Motley is a word/surname — 'multicolored; varied; of many parts'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Motley?

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

Is Motley a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Motley?

Motley is a very rare name in the U.S.

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