July 20, 2008

Bailey

Bailey ~ Bailiff ~ English

Who would name a child something that means "bailiff"? Well, anybody who loves the sound of the name and either doesn't know or doesn't mind what the meaning is.

After all, it's not a bad meaning, it's just very specific. Consideration has to be given to this name's origin as a surname. Like Baker or Carpenter, Bailey came into use because it describes a person's occupation. Bailiffs, who keep order in the courtroom, have an important job. But if it still seems like an odd meaning, some may prefer to think of it in more generic terms. "Steward" is often given as a definition for Bailey as well.

Whether or not you like the meaning, you will probably find the name appealing. Bailey has a sweet quality and while it's popular, it's still a fresh choice. British singer Corinne Bailey Rae has certainly given this name a boost in the past year or two. Scott Baio and his wife named their daughter Bailey, and British pianist Myleene Klass used Bailey for her daughter's middle name.
  • Bailey has fallen a bit since this article was first published. It's ranked at 104 for a girl's name (for 2014).
  • Bailey is considered a unisex name, though it's used more often for girls.
  • You might also like: Brinley, Brinkley, Bentley, Casey, Caylee, or Riley

2 comments:

  1. fun idea for a blog. i know it took me forever to come up with names for my twins.

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  2. Thanks so much! By the way, I checked out your blog and your hair bows are really cute. :)

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