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Oakley

♂ Boy

Pronounced OHK-lee /ˈoʊk.li/High

Meaning: English surname from Old English 'ac' (oak) and 'leah' (woodland clearing, meadow), meaning 'oak clearing' or 'meadow where oak trees grow'; transferred to first-name useHigh

In 30 seconds: Oakley is a nature-rich English surname name meaning 'oak meadow.' Strong, outdoorsy, and modern, it has grown in popularity for boys as part of the nature-name and surname-name trends combined.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningEnglish surname from Old English 'ac' (oak) and 'leah' (woodland clearing, meadow), meaning 'oak clearing' or 'meadow where oak trees grow'; transferred to first-name use

U.S. rank (2025)#454 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births688 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 11,373

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

Oakley is an English surname from Old English ac (oak tree) and leah (woodland clearing or meadow), meaning 'clearing where oak trees grow.' It follows the same pattern as other -ley names such as Ashley, Paisley, and Hadley. As a topographic surname it identified families who lived near oak groves or clearings.

Oakley gained first-name use in the United States, bolstered by the fame of Annie Oakley and later by the Oakley sunglasses brand. As a boys' name it has been growing in the 21st century alongside other nature-infused surname names like Birch, Ash, and Wolfe.

Did you know? Annie Oakley — the legendary sharpshooter of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show — was born Phoebe Ann Mosey but took the stage name Oakley, turning it into an icon of American frontier culture and female empowerment.

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Oakley — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

OakleeOakleighOaklie

Nicknames

OakOaks

Famous Bearers

★Annie Oakley (1860–1926)
American sharpshooter and star of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, born Phoebe Ann Mosey

If you like Oakley…

Beckett— shares the English surname-name trend and the two-syllable feel

Cooper— another occupational/nature surname name in the same modern tier

Asher— shares the tree-reference and the nature-boy name appeal

Brantley— another nature pick

Mickey— another nature pick

Explore names like Oakley

By thememodern english surname-name nature tree

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Frequently Asked

What does Oakley mean?

Oakley means 'clearing where oak trees grow,' from Old English 'ac' (oak) and 'leah' (woodland clearing or meadow).

How do you pronounce Oakley?

Oakley is pronounced OHK-lee /ˈoʊk.li/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Oakley a popular boys' name?

Oakley has been growing in the U.S. as part of both the nature-name and surname-name trends, and is now in the top 400 boys' names.

Who was Annie Oakley?

Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey) was a legendary American sharpshooter in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, one of the most famous female performers of the 19th century.