US Popularity Rank: 1679

Origin: British

Meaning: Stony meadow

A habitational name of British origin, Stanley is a boy’s name that means “stony field.” It comes from the Old English words stan—“stone”—and leah—“clearing”—and refers to people who come from stony meadows. An ancient English surname, it’s fun to imagine that Stanley refers to those who lived near Stonehenge, or any of the many stone circles erected throughout the British Isles in the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages—long before the Pyramids. While the purpose of these mysterious monoliths is still debated, many were built to align with solstices and equinoxes and are examples of humanity’s early engineering prowess and celestial acumen. With a name that evokes these magnificent standing stones, baby Stanley will never lack inspiration, intelligence, or fortitude.