Woodley

“Woodley is of Old English origin, derived from 'wudu' (wood) and 'leah' (clearing)” — Associated with places named Woodley in England

United Kingdom origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#5052US 2023

20Births / yr

↑Rising

211All-time births

📅 Since 191800

How to pronounce Woodley

WUHDL·ee

/ˈwʊdl.iː/ · stress on WUHDL · 2 syllables

“Woodley is of Old English origin, derived from 'wudu' (wood) and 'leah' (clearing)”

Associated with places named Woodley in England · United Kingdom origin

What does Woodley mean and where does it come from?

Woodley is of Old English origin, derived from 'wudu' (wood) and 'leah' (clearing). It is a surname that became popular as a given name in the 20th century. The name is associated with places named Woodley in England. Notable people with this name include Woodley L. Campbell, an American politician.

Cultural significance

Woodley has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in United Kingdom-speaking communities, where it reflects values of old english.

Peak popularity

Reached #2945 in 1923 — currently #5052 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Woodley?

Woodley works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Woodley Grace

How popular is Woodley right now?

Rising fast — up 795 spots — currently #5052 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1920–2023#5052 · Top 3.7%

1920

1970

1975

1985

2000

2015

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#5052	20	▲ up 795 · +25% births
2022	#5847	16	▲ up 2944 · +78% births
2021	#8791	9	▲ up 1986 · +50% births
2015	#10777	6	▼ down 1498
2000	#9279	6	▼ down 4448 · -25% births
1985	#4831	8	▲ up 886 · +60% births
1975	#5717	5	▼ down 1284 · -17% births
1970	#4433	6	▲ up 356 · +20% births
1920	#4789	5	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Woodley

Best Year1970Rank #4433

Peak Count20

Average Rank#6613

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1920 - 20239 years

The story of Woodley

Woodley entered American naming records in 1918 and has been in use for over 106 years. With 211 total births recorded, Woodley remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4789 in 1920, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #5052 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Woodley in 1923:

John Robert William James Charles

Woodley by decade

Woodley peaked in the 1920s. See all 1920s names →

Decade	Births
1910s	6
1920s	27
1940s	15
1950s	13
1960s	10
1970s	39
1980s ★	50
1990s	10
2000s	6
2010s	35

💎Woodley has only 211 total recorded births since 1918 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Woodley?

Common

WooWoieWoyOdley

What names sound and feel like Woodley?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Woodley also consider these

Roodley

American · Clearing in the

Rodley

United Kingdom · clearing in the

Woodsen

English · A meaningful name

Woodensley

United Kingdom · Derived from the

Worley

American · from the weir

Wadley

United Kingdom · By the weir

Dooley

Ireland · Defender

Cooley

Ireland · from the place

Common questions about the name Woodley

What does the name Woodley mean?

Woodley means "Old English" — a name rooted in United Kingdom tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Woodley?

Woodley is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Woodley have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Woodley?

Woodley originates from United Kingdom tradition. United Kingdom names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Woodley?

Woodley is a two-syllable name pronounced W UH1 D L IY0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Woodley trending right now?

Woodley is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.