Find out how popular the first name Blakely has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Blakely by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Blakely is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 94% of people named Blakely being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,854 female babies and 13 male babies born with the name Blakely.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 13 baby boys were named Blakely in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Blakely

The name Blakely is an English surname that has been used as a given name in more recent times. The name is derived from the Old English words "blæc" meaning "black" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing". It is believed to have originated as a place name referring to a dark or shaded meadow.

While the exact origins of the name are uncertain, it is thought to have first appeared as a surname in the 12th or 13th century in various regions of England. The earliest recorded use of Blakely as a given name dates back to the late 19th century, possibly influenced by its use as a surname.

In terms of historical references, the name Blakely does not appear to have any significant mentions in ancient texts, religious scriptures, or historical records from earlier eras. Its usage as a given name is relatively modern.

Some notable individuals with the first name Blakely throughout history include:

1. Blakely Holshouser (1912-2006), an American politician who served as the 69th Governor of North Carolina from 1977 to 1981.

2. Blakely Carpenter (1941-2005), an American actress best known for her role in the film "The Fog" (1980).

3. Blakely Skoglund (born 1965), an American painter and sculptor known for her large-scale installations.

4. Blakely Phillips (born 1994), an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder.

5. Blakely Thornton (1918-2007), an American air force pilot who served in World War II and received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

While the name Blakely may not have a long and storied history as a given name, its origins as an English surname and its relatively modern usage as a first name provide an interesting linguistic and cultural context.

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 Blakely was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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