Knightley

At a Glance

Meaning

Knight's clearing or knight's meadow (Old English cniht 'knight/young retainer' + leah 'woodland clearing, meadow')

Origin

English (surname/place name)

Gender

Neutral

Pronunciation

NYTE-leeListen

Knightley is a neutral name with English roots, originally used as a surname and place name. Pronounced NYTE-lee, it comes from Old English elements meaning 'knight's clearing' or 'knight's meadow' — so while it's sometimes described simply as 'land of knights,' the '-ley' part actually points to a specific clearing or meadow rather than land in general.

Meaning & Origin of Knightley

Meaning: Knight's clearing or knight's meadow (Old English cniht 'knight/young retainer' + leah 'woodland clearing, meadow').

Origin: English (surname/place name).

A common claim: Knightley is often glossed simply as 'land of knights'. Actually: More precisely, the '-ley' element means a clearing or meadow, not general 'land', so 'knight's clearing/meadow' is the closer reading.

How to Pronounce Knightley

Popularity of Knightley

Social Security data from 2009 to 2024 shows Knightley peaking in 2021 at rank #8277 with 13 babies given the name, then dropping to rank #10421 in 2024 with just 7.

Names Like Knightley

These names share Knightley’s style, era or origin.

• Adley
• Amory
• Arden
• Arlowe
• Arrow
• Ash

FAQ

What does the name Knightley mean?

Knight’s clearing or knight’s meadow (Old English cniht ‘knight/young retainer’ + leah ‘woodland clearing, meadow’).

How do you pronounce Knightley?

Knightley is pronounced NYTE-lee (IPA: /ˈnaɪtli/).

Is Knightley a popular name right now?

Knightley peaked at #8277 in 2021 and is ranked #10421 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 2009–2024.)

Make Knightley Name Art

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