Revision History

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1/21/2022, 9:40 PM Mike C update #111
2/12/2007, 1:03 AM Mike C earliest recorded revision

Gender Masculine & Feminine
Usage English
Pronounced Pron. /ˈbeɪ.li/

Meaning & History

From an English surname derived from Middle English baili meaning "bailiff", originally denoting one who was a bailiff.

Already an uncommon masculine name, it slowly grew in popularity for American girls beginning in 1978 after the start of the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, which featured a character with this name. Though it remained more common as a feminine name, it got a boost for boys in 1994 from another television character on the drama Party of Five. In the United Kingdom and Australia it has always been more popular for boys.