Comments (Meaning / History Only)
This name did not originate with Miley Cyrus. I know of (and know personally) several Miley's who are way older than Miley Cyrus. I've typically heard it as a nickname, but it can stand alone.
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As has been said previously, Miley is an anglicised version of a common Irish surname and has frequently been used as a given name.
There are records of several males registered with the given name 'Miley' in the Irish census as early as 1901.
I know several men in their 20/30/40's with the given name Miley. I have always associated it as being a masculine name.
It is still in use today, though previous to the appearance of Miley Cyrus, it had fallen out of fashion probably due to becoming synonymous with 'old farmer men' as it was the nickname of a character in a popular TV show (Mick Lally, or "Miley" from Glenroe).
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There are records of several males registered with the given name 'Miley' in the Irish census as early as 1901.
I know several men in their 20/30/40's with the given name Miley. I have always associated it as being a masculine name.
It is still in use today, though previous to the appearance of Miley Cyrus, it had fallen out of fashion probably due to becoming synonymous with 'old farmer men' as it was the nickname of a character in a popular TV show (Mick Lally, or "Miley" from Glenroe).
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I know someone with the surname Miley so it is definitely not some made up name derived from Miley Cyrus.
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To add to my previous comment: according to SSA records, there were 5 Mileys born in 1980 in the USA, and less than 5 Mileys in 1990. Clearly, that proves that - although rare - Miley was around as a first name *before* Miley Cyrus, since Cyrus was born in November 1992.
So, clearly, the meaning of those people's name certainly did not derive from 'smiley' - the derivation from 'smiley' is unique to Cyrus *only*, and since she didn't even exist in 1980 and 1990, the meaning for those born in 1980 and 1990 can only come from the nickname for Miles (or even Milena) *or* from the surname Miley.
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So, clearly, the meaning of those people's name certainly did not derive from 'smiley' - the derivation from 'smiley' is unique to Cyrus *only*, and since she didn't even exist in 1980 and 1990, the meaning for those born in 1980 and 1990 can only come from the nickname for Miles (or even Milena) *or* from the surname Miley.
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Granted, this name was popularised by American actress and singer Miley Cyrus. However, it does not originate from her (the particular meaning provided in the database does, but not the name's spelling and look). There is a difference between originating and popularising.
As a first name, this name existed well before Miley Cyrus came to fame (as other users have already stated in their comments). It was not often used before her, no - mostly as a nickname for names like Miles.
But for some bearers, the name was not even a nickname for their official first name: it was their official first name, most likely derived from the surname Miley (entirely in agreement with the "surnames for first names"-fashion in English-speaking countries). Yes, Miley is actually a legitimate surname: according to the Most Common Surnames feature at Behind The Surname (http://surname.behindthename.com), the surname Miley ranked 4,926 out of 88,799 in the USA. That makes it a fairly common surname in my book, and thus, it is certainly conceiveable to think that it got sufficient exposure for some parents to like the surname and give it to their child as a first name.
The surname is ultimately an anglicised form of a Gaelic surname, most likely Ó Maol Aodha, which means "descendent of a follower of Saint Aodh", derived from Gaelic 'ó' "son of, descendent of", Gaelic 'maol' "follower, servant" and the personal name Aodh. However, the surname can also possibly be derived from Ó Máille ("descendent of a nobleman") or Ó Maolmhuaidh ("descendent of Maolmhuadh"). A known bearer of the surname is James "Bubber" Miley (1903-1932), an American jazz musician.
As such, I think it is a good idea to amend the entry for Miley to include its use as a nickname for names like Miles, as well as it being a surname used as a first name in some cases. The current entry seems to imply that the name originated from Miley Cyrus only and that its meaning thus comes from her particular story, and that is wrongly so. Acknowledging that there are multiple sources and meanings for this name will do the name the most justice. [noted -ed]
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As a first name, this name existed well before Miley Cyrus came to fame (as other users have already stated in their comments). It was not often used before her, no - mostly as a nickname for names like Miles.
But for some bearers, the name was not even a nickname for their official first name: it was their official first name, most likely derived from the surname Miley (entirely in agreement with the "surnames for first names"-fashion in English-speaking countries). Yes, Miley is actually a legitimate surname: according to the Most Common Surnames feature at Behind The Surname (http://surname.behindthename.com), the surname Miley ranked 4,926 out of 88,799 in the USA. That makes it a fairly common surname in my book, and thus, it is certainly conceiveable to think that it got sufficient exposure for some parents to like the surname and give it to their child as a first name.
The surname is ultimately an anglicised form of a Gaelic surname, most likely Ó Maol Aodha, which means "descendent of a follower of Saint Aodh", derived from Gaelic 'ó' "son of, descendent of", Gaelic 'maol' "follower, servant" and the personal name Aodh. However, the surname can also possibly be derived from Ó Máille ("descendent of a nobleman") or Ó Maolmhuaidh ("descendent of Maolmhuadh"). A known bearer of the surname is James "Bubber" Miley (1903-1932), an American jazz musician.
As such, I think it is a good idea to amend the entry for Miley to include its use as a nickname for names like Miles, as well as it being a surname used as a first name in some cases. The current entry seems to imply that the name originated from Miley Cyrus only and that its meaning thus comes from her particular story, and that is wrongly so. Acknowledging that there are multiple sources and meanings for this name will do the name the most justice. [noted -ed]
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I think this name might have started as a Hawaiian name: Maili (not 100% sure on the spelling). All I know is Miley isn't the first bearer.
I think it's a fine option as it fits in with Riley and Kiley which are quite common names.
I like it!
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I think it's a fine option as it fits in with Riley and Kiley which are quite common names.
I like it!
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It's probably the feminine form of MILES, which is a boy name. I doubted the name originated from its ditzy, Disney namesake.
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This name does not come from MILEY CYRUS. It is a nickname of MILES.
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Miley is a name that was around before Miley Cyrus, but it was very rare and uncommon. Looking at the popularity charts, it's almost a fact saying that the fame of Miley Cyrus did lead people to consider the name when naming their children.
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Technically, this didn't come from Miley Cyrus. I know a 19-year-old named Miley and Miley Cyrus is only 16, so he -yes, HE- had it before she did. But, I've never heard it on any other girl besides Miley.
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I do not believe that Miley Cyrus started this name. I have a cousin named Miley (b. 1986). She was named that through the roots of the name "Miles", and according to my aunt her name was 'Miley Grace' because she wanted her daughter to have a long and graceful life, or something of the like.
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I think Miley was not originated from Miley Cyrus because her real name is Destiny Hope Cyrus. It might be a mistake.
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Miley's name WAS Destiny Hope Cyrus. She legally changed it last year to Miley Ray Cyrus. And while men and boys could be called Miley as a diminutive of Miles, the name has reached its current level of popularity through one person only, Miley Cyrus. It's too bad, really.
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Can someone PLEASE update the info on this site about the origin of MILEY? It does not only come from Miley Cyrus, but from the surname (as well as nickname), "Miley" which was derived from the name Miles. It's so obvious.
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Can also be a variant of Milly (pronounced MIL-ee) or derived from the surname Miley.
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Miley is actually a common surname. (Most likely derived from the name "Miles".)
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I doubt it originated from Miley Cyrus. My name is Miley and I'm 19 years old. I personally love my name and it's sad that people now associate it with Miley Cyrus.
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In "50,001+ Best Baby Names" by Diane Stafford (Sourcebooks, Inc.; Naperville, IL; 2004) the name Miley is considered masculine, is American, means "reliable; forgiving" and is a form of the name MILES.
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Miley is the nickname of the name "Miles". Seriously. Look it up. The name existed way before Miley Cyrus, didn't necessarily derive from "Smiley", and was generally thought of as a boy's name.
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