Find out how popular the first name Ackley has been for the last 8 years (from 2014 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ackley by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Ackley is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 79% of people named Ackley being male.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ackley.

It's also interesting to see that despite Ackley being historically a mostly male name, the most recent data from 2021 shows a shift in the trend, with more female babies being named Ackley.

The history of the first name Ackley

The given name Ackley has its origins in Old English, with roots that can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It is believed to have derived from the combination of two words: "ac," meaning oak, and "leah," referring to a woodland clearing or meadow. This linguistic heritage suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who lived in or near oak forests or clearings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ackley can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and population surveys commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This historical document mentions Achelai, a possible variant spelling of the name, indicating its presence in England during the 11th century.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Ackley appeared sporadically in various historical records and manuscripts, although its usage was relatively rare. One notable bearer of the name was Sir John Ackley, a knight who fought alongside King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War in the 14th century.

In the 16th century, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, an Ackley family resided in the county of Somerset, England. A member of this family, Thomas Ackley, was a respected landowner and prominent figure in the local community.

As the centuries passed, the name Ackley continued to be used, albeit infrequently, across different regions of England. In the 18th century, a notable figure bearing the name was Samuel Ackley, a successful merchant and philanthropist who lived in London.

Moving into the 19th century, one of the most famous individuals with the name Ackley was William Ackley, an American inventor and engineer best known for his contributions to the development of early automobiles and internal combustion engines. He was born in 1833 and passed away in 1905.

Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Charles Ackley, an American businessman and industrialist who lived from 1867 to 1947. He founded the Ackley Machine Corporation, a company that manufactured industrial machinery and equipment.

In the realm of literature, the name Ackley is associated with the fictional character Ackley from J.D. Salinger's classic novel "The Catcher in the Rye," published in 1951. Although a fictional character, Ackley's portrayal in the novel has contributed to the cultural recognition of the name.

While not as common as some other given names, Ackley has maintained a presence throughout history, with its roots firmly planted in the linguistic heritage of Old English and its various bearers leaving their mark across different fields and eras.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ackley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ackley, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!