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Waverly

♀ Girl

Pronounced WAY-ver-lee /ˈweɪ.vər.li/High

Meaning: Quaking aspen meadow; from Old English wafre (quivering) + leah (clearing, meadow)Medium

In 30 seconds: An English place-name surname meaning 'quaking aspen meadow,' made famous by Sir Walter Scott's Waverley novels — the first great series of historical fiction in English literature.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningQuaking aspen meadow; from Old English wafre (quivering) + leah (clearing, meadow)
U.S. rank (2024)#916 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births289 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,314

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219142024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Waverly (or Waverley) is believed to derive from Old English wafre (quivering, swaying) and leah (woodland clearing), suggesting a meadow of trembling aspens. It is the name of a village in Surrey, England, which gave its name to Waverley Abbey and inspired Sir Walter Scott's 1814 novel.

As a given name, Waverly appeared in U.S. charts from the 2000s onward, gaining momentum from the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012). It ranked #916 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Sir Walter Scott's Waverley (1814) was published anonymously for years; Scott was so famous that readers guessed his authorship from the outset, but he maintained the mystery until 1827, fueling one of literary history's great open secrets.
Overall data confidence 80%
Behind the Name — Waverly — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

WaverleyWaverly

Nicknames

WavieWaveWavi

Famous Bearers

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If you like Waverly…

Hadley— three-syllable Old English -ley place-name surname popular for girls
Harley— two-syllable -ley surname name with the same outdoor feel
Brinley— three-syllable -ley-ending girl name from the same naming wave
Presley— three-syllable -ley surname name with the same soft femininity
Kimberly— classic three-syllable -ley name in the same -erlee sound family

Frequently Asked

What does the name Waverly mean?

Waverly means 'quaking aspen meadow,' from Old English wafre (quivering) and leah (meadow). The exact etymology is uncertain.

How do you pronounce Waverly?

It's said WAY-ver-lee — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Waverly a boy or girl name?

Waverly is used primarily as a girls' name in the U.S.

How popular is Waverly?

Waverly ranked #916 for U.S. girls in 2024.