Calley first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Calley has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Calley

A feminine diminutive form of the name Calista, meaning "most beautiful" from Greek origins.

Popularity of Calley by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Calley is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Calley.

Year Male Count Female Count
2022 0 6
2021 0 7
2020 0 5
2019 0 6
2018 0 6
2017 0 9
2016 0 6
2015 0 6
2014 0 10
2013 0 15
2012 0 17
2011 0 12
2010 0 14
2009 0 23
2008 0 21
2007 0 22
2006 0 18
2005 0 20
2004 0 13
2003 0 9
2002 0 14
2001 0 16
2000 0 32
1999 0 34
1998 0 30
1997 0 24
1996 0 24
1995 0 32
1994 0 30
1993 0 35
1992 0 30
1991 0 32
1990 0 41
1989 0 18
1988 0 17
1987 0 33
1986 0 29
1985 0 17
1984 0 21
1983 0 26
1982 0 11
1981 0 27
1980 0 12
1979 0 10
1978 0 9
1977 0 17
1976 0 8
1975 0 8
1974 0 15

The history of the first name Calley

The name Calley is believed to have originated from the Old English word "calu," which means "bald" or "bare." It was likely a nickname given to someone who had little or no hair. The name can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period in England, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Calley can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Calli," which was likely a variant spelling of Calley at the time.

In the 12th century, the name Calley was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls, which were records of financial transactions maintained by the English Exchequer. This suggests that the name was in use among the general population during the Middle Ages.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Calley. One of the earliest was Calley of Wainfleet, an English Benedictine monk who lived in the 13th century and served as the Abbot of Bardney Abbey in Lincolnshire.

In the 16th century, Calley Jerman was a renowned English composer and musician who worked for the court of Henry VIII. His compositions were highly regarded during the Renaissance period.

During the American Revolutionary War, Calley Ewell was a patriot and soldier who fought in the Continental Army. He was born in Virginia in 1748 and participated in several major battles, including the Siege of Yorktown.

In the 19th century, Calley Jackson was an American writer and poet from Louisiana. She was born in 1829 and is best known for her collection of poems titled "Shadows on the Hearth," published in 1855.

Another notable figure with the name Calley was Calley Pruett, an American baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in the early 20th century. He was born in 1892 and played as an outfielder for several seasons in the Major Leagues.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Calley, showcasing its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods.

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

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

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"Calley first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 25, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/calley-meaning-and-history/.

"Calley first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/calley-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 25 April, 2025

Calley first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/calley-meaning-and-history/.

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