Wiley

♀ Girl

Pronounced WY-lee /ˈwaɪ.li/High

Meaning: From the English surname Wiley — 'the water meadow' (Old English) or a form of Wylie; also read as the word 'wily', crafty; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: The water meadow: Wiley is an English surname — 'the water meadow' (with a 'wily' charm). Crisp, sunny, and warm. Used for both sexes.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningFrom the English surname Wiley — 'the water meadow' (Old English) or a form of Wylie; also read as the word 'wily', crafty; here for girls; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#5581 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births23 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 371

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

Wiley comes from the English surname Wiley/Wylie — from a place-name, 'the water meadow' (on the River Wylye, in Wiltshire), and playfully echoing the word 'wily', crafty (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, sunny, modern surname-name, predominantly a boys' name, here covered for girls honestly (slug distinguished; nickname Wy).

It registers thinly for girls. Rare for girls, the-water-meadow at the root, and sunny.

Did you know? Wiley is an English surname, 'the water meadow' (from a place on the River Wylye) — and playfully echoes 'wily', crafty (Wile E. Coyote) — a crisp, sunny name, used for both sexes (the routes are layered, which we note).

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Wiley — routes layered

Variations

WylieWyleyWilla

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Wiley…

Wylie— a fellow spelling

Wren— a fellow short nature girls' name

Willa— another W- girls' name

Winsley— another English name

Whitney— another English name

Explore names like Wiley

By themeuncertain english unisex surname-name place-name

By meaningSea / Water Earth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Wiley mean?

Wiley is an English surname, 'the water meadow', and echoes 'wily', crafty; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Wiley?

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

Is Wiley a boy or girl name?

Wiley is predominantly a boys' name; this page covers its use for girls.

How popular is Wiley?

Wiley is rare for girls in the U.S.