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Wadley

♂ Boy

Pronounced WAD-lee /ˈwɑd.li/Medium

Meaning: Wadley is an English place and surname name, likely meaning 'Wada's meadow' or 'meadow by the ford', from Old English elements plus leah ('woodland clearing; meadow'). Carried into first-name use, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A breezy two-beat name: Wadley is a surname meaning 'Wada's meadow' (said 'WAD-lee'). A modern surname pick.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningWadley is an English place and surname name, likely meaning 'Wada's meadow' or 'meadow by the ford', from Old English elements plus leah ('woodland clearing; meadow'). Carried into first-name use, which we note.

U.S. rank (2025)#8210 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births10 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 31

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

As a boy's name, Wadley is an English place and surname name, likely meaning 'Wada's meadow' or 'meadow by the ford', from Old English roots plus leah ('woodland clearing; meadow'). Carried into given-name use, it reads as a fresh surname pick, which we note (said 'WAD-lee').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely. Rare, surname-style, and airy.

Did you know? Wadley is an English place and surname name, likely 'Wada's meadow' or 'meadow by the ford', ending in leah ('clearing; meadow'). A crisp surname-turned-first-name, which we note (said 'WAD-lee').

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Wadley — English place/surname name; 'Wada's meadow / meadow by the ford'

Variations

WadleighWadly

Nicknames

WadeWad

Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Wadley mean?

Wadley is an English place and surname name, likely 'Wada's meadow' or 'meadow by the ford', ending in leah ('meadow'). Which we note.

How do you pronounce Wadley?

It's said WAD-lee /ˈwɑd.li/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Wadley a boy or girl name?

Here Wadley is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Wadley?

Wadley is a rare, surname-style name for boys in the U.S.