Find out how popular the first name Bly has been for the last 21 years (from 2001 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bly by gender

Based on the last 21 years of data, Bly is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 83% of people named Bly being male.

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

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

The history of the first name Bly

The name Bly is believed to have originated in the Middle English language, derived from the Old English word "bly," which means "cheerful" or "joyful." This name is thought to have first emerged in England during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Bly can be found in the 14th-century Middle English poem "Piers Plowman" by William Langland, where it appears as a character's name. The name also appears in various historical records and documents from that time period, suggesting its usage among the English population.

During the Renaissance period, the name Bly gained some popularity, particularly in literary works. In Shakespeare's play "The Merry Wives of Windsor," one of the characters is named Bly, though it is unclear whether this was intended as a first name or a surname.

In the 17th century, the English writer and explorer William Bly (1561-1624) became one of the most notable individuals to bear this name. He was part of an expedition to the West Indies and is credited with establishing the first English settlement on the island of Bermuda.

Another famous bearer of the name Bly was Nellie Bly (1864-1922), an American journalist and pioneer in investigative reporting. She gained worldwide fame for her record-breaking journey around the world in 72 days, inspired by the fictional adventure of Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's novel "Around the World in Eighty Days."

In the 20th century, Bly was the first name of Bly Elwood (1917-2000), an American artist and painter known for her abstract expressionist works. She was part of the influential New York School of artists and had a successful career spanning several decades.

Additionally, Bly Boucher (1934-2001) was a notable American sculptor and artist, best known for her large-scale public art installations and sculptures made from recycled materials.

While the name Bly has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has maintained a presence in various contexts, often associated with individuals who have made significant contributions in fields such as literature, exploration, journalism, and art.

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

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

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