How to say it
MI · ley
ˈmaɪ.li
Feminine
Miley
A modern coinage
What it means
A modern American name with no older root, born as a nickname and made famous by Miley Cyrus.
Miley is essentially a name invented in the spotlight. The singer and actress was born Destiny Hope Cyrus and nicknamed 'Smiley' as a cheerful baby, which got trimmed to Miley and later made official. There is no ancient etymology to trace; it spread entirely from her fame in the 2000s. It rhymes with the popular -ley set, Riley, Hailey, and Kylie, and reads bright and unmistakably contemporary.
How to spell Miley
The standard spelling is Miley. Common variants include Mylee, Mileigh, Mylie, but Miley is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #129 in 2008, currently #338 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
- Pop culture
The name spread entirely from Miley Cyrus, whose childhood nickname was 'Smiley.'
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.
- Miley Cyrus American singer and actress
Spelling variants
- Mylee
- Mileigh
- Mylie
Names with the same feeling
Common questions
- What does the name Miley mean?
- A modern American name with no older root, born as a nickname and made famous by Miley Cyrus.
- What does Miley mean in English?
- In English, Miley means "A modern coinage." Miley is essentially a name invented in the spotlight. The singer and actress was born Destiny Hope Cyrus and nicknamed 'Smiley' as a cheerful baby, which got trimmed to Miley and later made official. There is no ancient etymology to trace; it spread entirely from her fame in the 2000s. It rhymes with the popular -ley set, Riley, Hailey, and Kylie, and reads bright and unmistakably contemporary.
- How do you pronounce Miley?
- Miley is pronounced ˈmaɪ.li. Say it as MI-ley, with the stress on the "mi" syllable.
- How do you spell Miley?
- The standard spelling is Miley. Common spelling variants include Mylee, Mileigh, Mylie.
- Is Miley a boy or girl name?
- Miley is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Miley?
- Miley ranked #338 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.