Manley is a rare and unique given name of English origin. The name Manley is derived from the Old English personal name Manna, which means "ready" or "eager". The name was originally given to individuals who were considered ready for battle or eager to please.
The surname Manley evolved from this given name over time, with the addition of the suffix "-ley", which indicates a person's occupation or origin. The most common theory is that the name Manley originally referred to someone who worked as a servant in a manor house, as "manor" and "manorly" were once used interchangeably.
The name Manley has a long history in England, with records of the name dating back to the 13th century. The name was particularly popular in the north of England, with many early records found in counties such as Yorkshire and Lancashire. Over time, the name spread throughout the country and beyond, with some families carrying the Manley surname to other parts of the British Isles and even to America.
Today, Manley remains a relatively uncommon given name, but it continues to be used occasionally. It is often chosen by parents who are looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child. The name Manley has a strong and noble sound to it, which may appeal to those seeking a distinctive name with a rich history behind it.
In conclusion, the name Manley is of English origin and means "ready" or "eager". It evolved from an Old English personal name and was originally associated with individuals who worked in manor houses. The name has a long history in England and continues to be used today as both a given name and a surname.
The name Manley has seen a varied journey in terms of popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest records show that there were 8 babies named Manley born in 1880, followed by 11 births in 1882. However, the number fluctuated significantly between 5 and 19 births per year until 1913 when it peaked at 27 births.
The years from 1914 to 1926 marked a period of steady growth for the name Manley, with the highest being 67 births in 1927. But unfortunately, this trend did not continue as the number of births began to decline significantly thereafter. By 1930, there were only 33 babies named Manley born in the U.S., and it continued to drop until reaching a low point of 5 births in both 1991 and 2007.
Interestingly, despite its decline in popularity, the name Manley has not completely disappeared. There have been consistent occurrences of births with this name over the years. For instance, there were 8 births in both 1999 and 2002, 6 births in 2015 and again in 2023, and 7 births in 2020.
In conclusion, according to the records from 1880 to 2023, a total of 2251 babies were named Manley at birth in the United States. The name experienced periods of popularity, especially between 1914 and 1927, but has since seen a decline in its usage. Nevertheless, it remains a unique choice for parents even today.