How to say it
AD · ley
ˈæd.li
Feminine
Adley
Woodland clearing
What it means
A surname-style name most often traced to Old English elements for a clearing or meadow.
Adley reads as an English surname turned given name. It is usually linked to Old English lēah, 'woodland clearing' or 'meadow,' the same element behind countless -ley names, joined to a first element that is often connected to habitational names like Hadley or Adderley in the English Midlands. A separate strand ties it to the Hebrew Adlai, 'God is just,' through the pet form Adley. Given the mix, the safest reading is a modern, gently vintage -ley name whose exact root is uncertain. It has been used more for girls in recent US years and dipped slightly in the 2025 rankings.
How to spell Adley
The standard spelling is Adley. Common variants include Adleigh, Adlee, Adalee, but Adley is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #509 in 2021, currently #805 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
AD-lee, two syllables.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Adley Rutschman American Major League Baseball catcher and All-Star
Spelling variants
- Adleigh
- Adlee
- Adalee
Names with the same feeling
See Adley from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Adley mean?
- A surname-style name most often traced to Old English elements for a clearing or meadow.
- What does Adley mean in English?
- In English, Adley means "Woodland clearing." Adley reads as an English surname turned given name. It is usually linked to Old English lēah, 'woodland clearing' or 'meadow,' the same element behind countless -ley names, joined to a first element that is often connected to habitational names like Hadley or Adderley in the English Midlands. A separate strand ties it to the Hebrew Adlai, 'God is just,' through the pet form Adley. Given the mix, the safest reading is a modern, gently vintage -ley name whose exact root is uncertain. It has been used more for girls in recent US years and dipped slightly in the 2025 rankings.
- How do you pronounce Adley?
- Adley is pronounced ˈæd.li. Say it as AD-ley, with the stress on the "ad" syllable.
- How do you spell Adley?
- The standard spelling is Adley. Common spelling variants include Adleigh, Adlee, Adalee.
- Is Adley a boy or girl name?
- Adley is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Adley?
- Adley ranked #805 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.