Boy Name
Hurley
Hurley means “Woodland clearing”. It is used as a boy's name across several naming traditions, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Hurley — a boy name — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Woodland clearing", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Harley is on your shortlist, Hurley belongs in the same conversation.
Hurley meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Woodland clearing
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Hurley as H·U·R·L·E·Y, with 6 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Hurley is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Hurley variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Hurleya, Hurleye, Hurleyy, Hurle.
- Nicknames: Hur and H.
- Middle names: Pair Hurley with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Hurley middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Harley, Harlie, Harlee, Harlow, Harrel — full picks on the sibling names for Hurley guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Hurley? Browse our names like Hurley guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Hurley
What does the name Hurley mean?
Hurley means "Woodland clearing". The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Hurley is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Hurley?
The exact origin of Hurley is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce Hurley?
Hurley has 6 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Hurley a boy's or girl's name?
Hurley is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Hurley in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Hurley sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Hurley?
Names that share Hurley's sound and style include Harley, Harlie, Harlee, Harlow, Harrel.
What middle names pair well with Hurley?
Good middle-name fits for Hurley pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Hurley is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Hurley is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Hurley?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Hurley share its rhythm without rhyming — Harley, Harlie, Harlee all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.