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Presley
Pronounced PREZ-lee /ΛprΙz.li/High
Meaning: Priest's meadow or woodland clearing; from Old English preost + leahHigh
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Presley is an English surname derived from Old English preost ('priest') and leah ('woodland clearing, meadow'), so it means 'the priest's clearing.' The surname gained worldwide fame through Elvis Aaron Presley (1935β1977), the American rock and roll pioneer.
As a given name, Presley began appearing on both boys' and girls' charts in the late 20th century, but it has since become predominantly female in usage. In the United States it entered the girls' top 200 in the 2000s, appealing to parents who want a celebrity-adjacent surname name with a country or rock-and-roll edge.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
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Elvis Presley (1935β1977)American musician called the 'King of Rock and Roll,' whose surname inspired the first name.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Presley mean?
Presley is an Old English surname meaning 'priest's meadow,' from the words preost (priest) and leah (clearing).
How do you pronounce Presley?
Presley is pronounced PREZ-lee (/ΛprΙz.li/) β two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Presley a boy or girl name?
Though originally a surname used for both sexes, Presley is now predominantly used as a girl's name in the U.S.
How popular is Presley?
Presley has been a top-200 U.S. girls' name since the 2010s, rising on the strength of the celebrity surname trend.