What Does the Name Daley Mean?
The name Daley is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Dálaigh, which means “descendant of Dálach”. The personal name Dálach is a diminutive form of dál, which means “assembly” or “meeting”. It is believed that the original bearer of this surname was a member of an assembly or council.
Variations of the Name
The name Daley has many variations, including Daly, Dayley, Dailey, O’Daly, O’Dayley, O’Dailey, and Dalay. In some cases, the spelling may be altered to reflect different pronunciations in different regions.
Popularity
The name Daley is not particularly popular in the United States. According to Social Security Administration data from 2019, it ranked as the 1,945th most popular name for boys born in the United States that year. However, it is more popular in Ireland where it ranks as the 5th most popular name for boys.
Famous People Named Daley
There are several famous people who have been given the name Daley. These include:
- Richard J. Daley (1902-1976), mayor of Chicago from 1955 to 1976
- William M. Daley (born 1948), White House Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama
- Tommy Daley (born 1994), British Olympic diver
- Patrick Daley (born 1981), Australian Paralympic swimmer
