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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Hayley

54 replies

As8ly4yn · 13/04/2022 20:51

My best friend recently found out she's pregnant with a DD, and is thinking of the name Hayley, but is wondering if it is too 80s and a bit dated?

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TedsaidFred · 14/04/2022 19:31

I met someone recently who has a 3 yo called Hayley and I was surprised because I haven't come across it since my school days. There were two in my class, born in the 80s. However it felt quite fresh rather than dated, I think it's totally usable.

GoodSoup · 14/04/2022 17:33

I like it and never hear it recently.

Electrox · 14/04/2022 17:23

I really like it.

Cindie943811A · 14/04/2022 15:20

It’s a surname meaning probably hay field and has no history to it as a first name as Hayley Mills was the first(Mother-was Mary Hayley Bell).
I just feel the name is a modern invention with no soul to it like, say, Pepper or Cinnamon or Brandy or Shandy or Chardonnay.

KirstenBlest · 14/04/2022 12:46

What @ReadtheReviews said.

Kayleigh is the obvious one very 1980s

ReadtheReviews · 14/04/2022 12:36

I mean, it's okay, but it's been drowned in a flood of -ayley ending names and just sounds like a noise now rather than anything distinct. Like the -ayden ending names. It is better than Halle/Hallie though.

Notimeforaname · 14/04/2022 12:32

I know French people who named their daughter Hayley. Its a beautiful name..they just cant pronounce it. So it just sound like al-ay

AwkwardPaws27 · 14/04/2022 12:29

@kitkatsky

I've never met a nice one, sorry
I've known several and they've all been lovely, so I have nice associations with the name.

Naming a baby is hard, especially when you realise how many people you've actually disliked over your lifetime Grin

KirstenBlest · 14/04/2022 12:23

I know 2, both born in the 1970s. It's a surname.

RuthW · 14/04/2022 12:19

Very dated. Not even retro yet

JellyDeels · 14/04/2022 11:53

My daughter born in 2003 grew up with two friends her age called Hayley (one was spelt Hailie though) and it was still inside the top 300 girls names until 2008, so I don't think it can be said it's too 80s.

Sunnytwobridges · 14/04/2022 11:36

It’s overused

WhoppingBigBackside · 14/04/2022 11:17

Dated

UpInTheAttic · 13/04/2022 23:09

Not a fan.

SeanChailleach · 13/04/2022 22:55

I love the name Hayley so much. I knew two girls with this name who were both really nice so that influences how I feel. I think it's very like Kayleigh, which I also love.

Custardpudding · 13/04/2022 22:54

Lovely

BHCU1343 · 13/04/2022 22:52

Classic name very nice

Luredbyapomegranate · 13/04/2022 22:42

The FIRST to have it

Luredbyapomegranate · 13/04/2022 22:42

It is.. but it’s quite sweet, and makes me think of Hayley Mills. I think she was pretty much the gist to have it - it was her mother’s maiden name.

It’s not very substantial but it’s alright.

DurdleSnore · 13/04/2022 22:34

I find it a bit dated, sorry. Hazel?

Alonelonelylonersbadidea · 13/04/2022 21:38

It's a cute name and retro!

DramaAlpaca · 13/04/2022 21:35

It's dated I suppose, but it always strikes me as a happy sounding name.

DisforDarkChocolate · 13/04/2022 21:33

I think its lovely. Definitely never been common enough to have it described as an 80's name.

KayEmAy · 13/04/2022 21:23

I love it! I also think it is very underrated :)

kitkatsky · 13/04/2022 21:00

I've never met a nice one, sorry