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Arley

Boy / Girl name · 23 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Arley: 23 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 6 births in 2023.

Arley has several possible origins, most often traced to an English habitational surname meaning “eagle wood” or “from the eagle’s meadow,” from Old English *earn* (eagle) and *lēah* (clearing or wood). It can also derive from the Irish Gaelic *Ó hEachthigheirn*, meaning “descendant of the horse-lord,” giving it a distinct Celtic thread. Notable bearers include Arley McCormick, a Scottish footballer who played for Kilmarnock in the early 20th century. While no major place is directly named after a bearer, the name shares its root with the town of Arley in Warwickshire, England, though that location’s meaning is debated. A modern twist: Arley has gained quiet popularity as a unisex choice, blending nature imagery with a gentle, contemporary sound.