Stanley

boyOld English

Stanley is an boy name of Old English origin, meaning “Stony clearing, stony meadow”.

MeaningStony clearing, stony meadow
GenderBoy
OriginOld English
PronunciationSTAN-lee
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada

Meaning and origin of Stanley

Stanley comes from Old English stan, 'stone', and leah, 'woodland clearing' or 'meadow', and first named several places in England. It became the surname of the powerful Stanley family, earls of Derby, and passed into use as a first name in the nineteenth century. The explorer Henry Morton Stanley, famous for finding David Livingstone, made it widely known. Later bearers include Stanley Kubrick and the comic-book writer Stan Lee, born Stanley Lieber.

Is Stanley a religious name?

Stanley has no religious background; it is an English place name and surname used as a first name by families of any faith.

How popular is Stanley?

Very popular in the early twentieth century and now enjoying a modest revival, particularly in Britain.

Gifts with the name Stanley

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Spellings and variants of Stanley

StanStanleigh

Names similar to Stanley

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Stanley mean?

Stanley means 'Stony clearing, stony meadow'. It is of Old English origin.

Does Stanley have a religious meaning?

Stanley has no religious background; it is an English place name and surname used as a first name by families of any faith.

How do you pronounce Stanley?

Stanley is pronounced STAN-lee.

Is Stanley a boy or girl name?

Stanley is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.