Is Stanley a boy's or girl's name?

Stanley is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 1,437 recorded births.

When was Stanley most popular?

Stanley reached its peak popularity in 1954 with 6,448 births that year. It is currently ranked #875 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Stanley?

Stanley is currently ranked #875 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 301,142 babies since 1880.

Stanley

A familiar Old English name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld EnglishDeclining Also a pet name

#875▼ 67in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A habitational surname from Old English.

Stanley is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the habitational surname meaning "stony clearing" — from Old English stān ("stone") and lēah ("woodland clearing"). Multiple English villages bear the name, and it transferred to first-name use in the 19th century.

Stanley was a top-20 U.S. boys' name in the 1920s and 1930s. Film director Stanley Kubrick and actor Stanley Tucci represent its range — from intense artistic visionary to charming sophisticate. The nickname Stan has taken on new cultural life as internet slang for a devoted fan, giving the name an unexpectedly modern echo.

Compare Stanley with another name

Popularity Over Time

Stanley was #556 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #875, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Stanley
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,549	#798	▼
2010s	3,541	#692	▼
2000s	4,127	#574	▼
1990s	6,123	#392	▼
1980s	9,210	#251	▼
1970s	13,220	#187	▼
1960s	30,002	#120	▼
1950s	57,162	#69	▲
1940s	46,263	#60	▲
1930s	37,131	#55	▼
1920s	49,456	#42	▲
1910s	35,908	#39	▲
1900s	4,156	#63	▲
1890s	2,297	#84	▲
1880s	997	#147	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Stanley
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	275	#875	-29 (-9.5%)
2023	304	#808	-20 (-6.2%)
2022	324	#781	+12 (3.8%)
2021	312	#789	-22 (-6.6%)
2020	334	#736	-43 (-11.4%)
2019	377	#681	+33 (9.6%)
2018	344	#707	-7 (-2.0%)
2017	351	#703	-16 (-4.4%)
2016	367	#683	+2 (0.5%)
2015	365	#690	-7 (-1.9%)
2014	372	#681	+17 (4.8%)
2013	355	#680	+40 (12.7%)
2012	315	#737	-33 (-9.5%)
2011	348	#677	+1 (0.3%)
2010	347	#683	-12 (-3.3%)
2009	359	#679	-11 (-3.0%)
2008	370	#657	-28 (-7.0%)
2007	398	#620	-6 (-1.5%)
2006	404	#601	-6 (-1.5%)
2005	410	#569	-3 (-0.7%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Stanley as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Stanley has also been given to 1,437 girls in the U.S. since 1900.

Unranked

Current rank

1,437

Total births

1927

Peak year

Compare Stanley as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Stanley be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Stanley is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #875. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Stanley has two lives

Stanley, the baby name

#875boys

301,142 babies

Currently viewing

Stanley, the pet name

#249pet name

451 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology