Haylei
A feminine name derived from the English word "hay" and the suffix "lei".
Name Census estimates that about 778 living Americans carry the first name Haylei. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Haylei today is around 19 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Haylei births was 2005 (64 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Haylei. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
778
~ 1 in 440,558 Americans
Peak year
2005
64 babies that year
Average age
19
years old
2024 SSA rank
#14,050
Tracked since 1990
Popularity
Haylei: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Haylei from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 435 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Haylei by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Haylei during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Hayleis live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. Texas, California, Florida recorded the most babies named Haylei, while New York, Tennessee, Florida recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 18 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Haylei
The given name Haylei is a relatively modern incarnation, originating as a feminine variation of the English name Hayley. Its roots can be traced back to the medieval English surname Hailey, which derived from the Old English word "hæg" meaning "hay" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing."
The name Haylei likely emerged in the late 20th century as a creative spelling of Hayley, catering to the trend of parents seeking unique names for their daughters. While the traditional Hayley has been in use since the Middle Ages, the variant Haylei gained popularity in recent decades, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States and United Kingdom.
Despite its modern origins, the name Haylei does not appear to have any significant historical references or mentions in ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, it is worth noting a few notable individuals who have borne this name or its variations throughout history.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hayley is Hayley Westenra, a New Zealand soprano born in 1987. She gained international recognition for her classical crossover albums and performances.
Another notable Hayley is Hayley Mills, the English actress born in 1946, who rose to fame as a child star in films like "Pollyanna" and "The Parent Trap."
In the realm of literature, Hayley Atwell, the British actress born in 1982, is known for her portrayal of Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Haylei Jade, born in 1985, is an American model and actress who has appeared in various television shows and movies.
Lastly, Hayley Williams, born in 1988, is the lead vocalist of the popular rock band Paramore, known for her distinctive vocal style and songwriting abilities.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried variations of the name Haylei throughout history, showcasing its growing popularity and diverse representations across various fields.
People
Haylei + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Haylei as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with H
Other first names starting with H with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Haylei: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Haylei?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 778 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Haylei going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 440,558 US residents.
Is Haylei a common name?
We classify Haylei as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 789 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Haylei most popular?
The single biggest year for Haylei was 2005, when 64 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Haylei is about 19 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Haylei a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Haylei in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.