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The short answer
Miley is a feminine name used in English. Behind the Name describes it this way: "In the case of actress and singer Miley Cyrus (1992-), it is a shortened form of the nickname Smiley, given to her by her father because she often smiled. Although it was not at all common before she brought it to public attention, there are some examples of its use before her time, most likely as a diminutive of Miles." It ranked #338 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, in the case of actress and singer Miley Cyrus (1992-), it is a shortened form of the nickname Smiley, given to her by her father because she often smiled. Although it was not at all common before she brought it to public attention, there are some examples of its use before her time, most likely as a diminutive of Miles. The entry lists its usage as English (Modern).
Editorial confidence: likely
Popularity
Miley ranked #338 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #338 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (English) and that sit near Miley in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Miley mean?
Behind the Name does not give Miley a one-word meaning. It describes the name as follows: in the case of actress and singer Miley Cyrus.
Is Miley a popular name?
Miley ranked #338 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Miley a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Miley appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it feminine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Miley — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
