Whittley is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the English surname Whittlesay, which is believed to have originated from a place called Whitlesy in Norfolk, England. The name Whittley is thought to be habitational in nature, meaning it was likely bestowed upon individuals who lived or worked near this location.
The meaning behind the name Whittley is not explicitly defined, but it can be inferred that it may be associated with the Old English words "hwit" and "lēah", which translate to white and clearing or meadow, respectively. Therefore, Whittley could potentially mean something along the lines of "white meadow".
There is limited historical information available regarding the name Whittley as it is not particularly common. However, it is mentioned in some genealogy records from the 17th century onwards, suggesting that it has been used as a given name for at least several centuries.
Today, Whittley remains an uncommon and distinctive choice for a baby boy's name. Its unique sound and English origins may appeal to parents looking for something different and meaningful for their child.
The name Whittley has seen a varied level of popularity over the years in the United States, with noticeable fluctuations in its usage. In 1988, there were 13 babies born named Whittley, followed by an increase to 16 births in 1989. However, this trend did not continue into the next few years, as the number of births with the name Whittley decreased to 9 in 1990 and further to 6 in 1991.
Interestingly, from 1992 onwards, the number of babies named Whittley remained relatively steady at 5 births per year until 1994. There is then a gap in data for several years before the name resurfaces with another 5 births in 1998 and again in 2015.
In total, over this period from 1988 to 2015, there have been 69 babies born in the United States named Whittley. While it is clear that the name has not maintained consistent popularity throughout these years, its occurrence demonstrates a unique and distinctive choice among parents during certain periods.