Fun Facts About the Name Colley
- 24 babies named Colley: U.S. records list 24 babies given the name Colley from 1880 through 2025. Even 6 girls received the name Colley - about 1 girl for every 3 boys.
What Does the Name Colley Mean?
Colley is an English surname also used as a given name; its meaning is not firmly settled. The usual explanation is that it is a habitational name from Colley in Devon, formed from Old English col, "charcoal," and lēah, "woodland clearing" or "glade," so the place name meant "charcoal clearing." A second explanation takes the first element from the Old English personal name Cola, a short name of uncertain meaning, with the same lēah; that would give "Cola's clearing." The two explanations are hard to separate in the surname record, and Cola itself has no secure meaning.
Colley Name History & Origins
Colley is not a traditional English given name; it is a surname used as a first name. The surname is recorded in England, and forms such as Colly and Colley are not always kept distinct in older records. Because the surname could come either from a place called Colley or from the personal name Cola, families named Colley may have unrelated origins. As a given name, Colley is rare. An early notable bearer was Colley Cibber (1671 - 1757), the English actor, playwright, and poet laureate, whose first name came from his mother's family, the Colleys. The given name is best understood as a family-surname use rather than a saint's name or a literary invention.
How Popular is the Name Colley?
Colley has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1979. Its best rank was #4,483 in 1979.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,571 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | #6,920 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1981 | #6,458 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1979 | #4,483 | 8 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with C
How the Name Colley Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are cheerful and friendly, but are apt to have an emotional life. You like to have several lines of effort going at once. You are a good talker and promoter and seldom worry over anything. At times, you can be impatient, and impulsive. You have the ability to bring an idea to completion. You can express yourself joyously and constructively. You might be psychic, but not know it. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Colley's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Colley's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.