Hadley

At a Glance: Name: Hadley – Meaning: heather clearing/meadow – Origin: English (surname/place name, Old English) – Gender: Neutral – Pronunciation: HAD-lee

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Hadley is a neutral name with English roots, drawn from an Old English surname and place name that literally means heather clearing or meadow. It's pronounced HAD-lee (IPA /ˈhædli/), and it carries a free-spirited, boho, outdoorsy, nature-inspired feel with a vintage soul. If you're researching it for a baby, it reads as an outdoorsy, unfussy pick with real ties to the English countryside rather than a coined or invented name.

Meaning & Origin of Hadley

Meaning: Heather clearing/meadow.

Origin: English (surname/place name, Old English).

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Hadley

Phonetic: HAD-lee   IPA: /ˈhædli/

Popularity of Hadley

Hadley peaked at #100 in 2014, when 3,015 babies were given the name, and has since eased to #114 in 2024 with 2,380 babies — a gentle step back from its high point, but still a name plenty of parents are choosing.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1906–2024.

Make Hadley Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Hadley, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Harley
• London
• Presley
• Hazel
• Wren
• Ash

FAQ

What does the name Hadley mean?

Heather clearing/meadow. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Hadley)

How do you pronounce Hadley?

Hadley is pronounced HAD-lee (IPA: /ˈhædli/).

Is Hadley a popular name right now?

Hadley is near its all-time peak (#100 in 2014), ranked #114 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1906–2024.)

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