Hayleigh

Hayleigh is a modern English given name and an elaborated spelling variant of Hayley, which itself derives from a Yorkshire place name meaning hay clearing, combining the Old English elements hæg, meaning hay, and leah, meaning woodland clearing or meadow. The name rose to widespread popularity in the English-speaking world during the latter half of the twentieth century, partly through the influence of British actress Hayley Mills. Hayleigh represents a trend toward phonetically inventive spellings intended to give the name a more distinctive or feminine appearance. Related forms include Hayley, Hailee, Hailey, and Haley.