The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Bailey!

Comments and insights on the name Bailey: | Edit

Bailey is one of the top 10 most popular names for both male and female dogs and other pets.

Personal experiences with the name Bailey: | Edit

Bailey has a twin sister, Brooke. They go really well together for twin girls. We always say, "Brooke & Bailey" never Bailey & Brooke! For twin boys; Brooks & Bailey! sounds cute, eh!

My name is Bailey and I have a sister named Emily. A lot of people end up calling me "Bails" for short. Growing up it wasn't a common first name, so people thought it was my last name, but now people recognize it. I often get complimented on my name, so I think it's a good one :). The only drawback is that a lot of people have dogs named Bailey.

Nicknames for Bailey: | Edit

Bay, Lee, Baileybear.

Meanings and history of the name Bailey: | Edit

Bailey is an Irish, English and Scottish surname. It could have originated as an occupational name referring to a crown official or officer of the king in county or town or a keeper of a royal building or house--a person of high rank. It is from the Old French for "bailiff" and/or the Scottish term "bailie," a municipal officer corresponding to an English alderman.

The occupational title "bailiff", meaning an officer in a court of justice, comes from the same root as Bailey.

The word Bailey also referred to the outer wall of a feudal castle or space immediately within the wall, and it could have been a geographical surname for someone who lived near the outer wall of a feudal castle.

The name Bailey also referrs to a prison or a court of justice, as seen in certain proper names such as the "Old Bailey" in London.

The name is in use for both boys and girls in the United States. Bailey was the 666th most popular name for American boys born in 2007 and the 83rd most popular name for American girls. It was most popular for boys in the late 1990s, when it ranked among the top 200 names. Bailey was the 70th most popular name for boys born in England and Wales in 2007 and was the 91st most popular name for boys born in Scotland in 2006.

Famous real-life people named Bailey: | Edit

Corinne Bailey Rae (born Corinne Jacqueline Bailey on 26 February 1979) is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who released her eponymous debut album Corinne Bailey Rae in February 2006.
Bailey Allmon, child who became a symbol of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing through an iconic photo taken that day of a firefighter carrying her away from the rubble.
Bailey Baio, daughter of Scott Baio

Bailey in song, story & screen: | Edit

Beetle Bailey is an American comic strip set in a U.S. Army post, created by Mort Walker. It is one of the longest running comic strips in the United States, having begun in 1950.
Bailey's Irish Cream is a well-known brand of liqueur.
Bailey was the name of Blair's little sister on the '80s sitcom "The Facts of Life."
Bailey Pickett is the name of a female teen character in the Disney Channel's show "The Suite Life on Deck."
Miranda Bailey is the name of a female surgeon character, portrayed by Chandra Wilson, on the show "Grey's Anatomy."
Bailey's Billion$ is a children's film about a dog who inherits his owner's fortune.