Bailey

Originally a surname given to those who lived near a bailey, Bailey is now predominately used as a unisex first name. The name prevails among girls in America and boys in the UK.

Detailed Meaning

With Old English origin, Bailey is derived from the term bailiff (a term coined during the Middle Ages for a law official or officer of justice).

Famous People With This Name

Bailey Chase is an American actor who has appeared in a number of films and TV shows including “The Boy Next Door”, “Damages” and “Ugly Betty”.

The name remains more common as a surname with English comedian Bill Bailey and American actor Eion Bailey some of the more high-profile examples.

Possible Nicknames

There are quite a few nickname options for Bailey, from affectionate terms such as “Bae” and “Bay” to “Lee”, “Ley” or even “Ali”.

Related Names

Bailee, Baileigh and Bayley are all variants of the name with alternative spellings or Bail offers a shortened version. Billy is a more common, but similar sounding, name.

Stories Featuring This Name

Bailey is quite common as a pet’s name, which is something to consider. “Bailey’s Story” is an adapted tale of the New York Times bestselling book “A Dog’s Purpose”.