How to say it
PRES · ley
ˈprɛz.li
Feminine
Presley
Priest's meadow
What it means
Old English place name from prēost ('priest') + lēah ('meadow'). Elvis Presley is the unavoidable cultural anchor; the first-name usage is mostly post-2000 in the American South.
Presley is an English place name from Old English prēost ('priest') + lēah ('meadow'), 'priest's clearing.' The surname has been used since the medieval period. Elvis Presley (1935-1977) is the dominant English-language cultural anchor, his name is the surname. Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, and (the 2022 film) Austin Butler's Elvis kept the surname in continuous Hollywood circulation. As a first name Presley is American and modern, particularly common in the US South where the Elvis association is strongest. It entered the US top 200 in 2014, mostly used for girls. Common shorts aren't common; Pres is rare.
How to spell Presley
The standard spelling is Presley. Common variants include Preslee, Presleigh, but Presley is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #188 in 2015, currently #225 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
Elvis Presley is the inescapable American anchor; some families lean into the Memphis/Graceland coding, others use the name without thinking about it.
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.
- Elvis Presley The King of Rock and Roll (Presley as surname), 1935-1977
Spelling variants
- Preslee
- Presleigh
Names with the same feeling
See Presley from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Presley mean?
- Old English place name from prēost ('priest') + lēah ('meadow'). Elvis Presley is the unavoidable cultural anchor; the first-name usage is mostly post-2000 in the American South.
- What does Presley mean in Old English?
- In Old English, Presley means "Priest's meadow." Presley is an English place name from Old English prēost ('priest') + lēah ('meadow'), 'priest's clearing.' The surname has been used since the medieval period. Elvis Presley (1935-1977) is the dominant English-language cultural anchor, his name is the surname. Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, and (the 2022 film) Austin Butler's Elvis kept the surname in continuous Hollywood circulation. As a first name Presley is American and modern, particularly common in the US South where the Elvis association is strongest. It entered the US top 200 in 2014, mostly used for girls. Common shorts aren't common; Pres is rare.
- How do you pronounce Presley?
- Presley is pronounced ˈprɛz.li. Say it as PRES-ley, with the stress on the "pres" syllable.
- How do you spell Presley?
- The standard spelling is Presley. Common spelling variants include Preslee, Presleigh.
- Is Presley a boy or girl name?
- Presley is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Presley?
- Presley ranked #225 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.