Bailey — Dog Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
Bailey (BAY-lee), 2 syllables — An old word for a castle wall; also "bailiff".. Verified by the Pets In The City editorial team, with real popularity data from our Auckland community.
Last updated:
What does Bailey mean?
English: An old word for a castle wall; also "bailiff"..
Our editors checked this meaning before publishing. Names with several genuine origins are shown as separate senses rather than a single claim.
Is Bailey a good dog name?
Bailey is rated excellent to call. It has a clear, distinct sound that carries well across a noisy park and is hard to confuse with common training cues. With 2 syllables, it is quick to say — a practical length for recall.
Before you commit, say it out loud a few times and check it does not clash with a household name or a training cue like "sit" or "no".
Bailey popularity in the Pets In The City community
Bailey ranks #12 all-time in the Pets In The City community, carried by about 6.5 in every 1,000 dogs we care for (226 dogs). Its recent trend is steady.
By birth year: 2003 — rank #2 (13.7 per 1,000); 2005 — rank #5 (10.3 per 1,000); 2006 — rank #6 (8.6 per 1,000); 2009 — rank #10 (5.8 per 1,000); 2010 — rank #16 (3.4 per 1,000); 2011 — rank #6 (8.7 per 1,000); 2012 — rank #7 (8.8 per 1,000); 2013 — rank #12 (4.0 per 1,000); 2014 — rank #6 (7.3 per 1,000); 2015 — rank #7 (7.6 per 1,000); 2016 — rank #8 (7.0 per 1,000); 2017 — rank #8 (5.9 per 1,000); 2018 — rank #9 (6.2 per 1,000); 2019 — rank #9 (5.9 per 1,000); 2020 — rank #5 (7.9 per 1,000); 2021 — rank #11 (6.8 per 1,000); 2022 — rank #8 (6.4 per 1,000); 2023 — rank #11 (5.0 per 1,000); 2024 — rank #10 (4.3 per 1,000); 2025 — rank #3 (12.3 per 1,000).
Popularity comes from anonymised, aggregated records of dogs at our 5 Auckland centres, as of 2026-08-01. It reflects our community, not a national census.
What kind of dog does Bailey suit?
It is most often used for girl dogs in our community. Owners often pick Bailey for its classic, human name feel. Treat these as suggestions — plenty of dogs happily wear names that break every rule.
Names similar to Bailey
- Abby — A friendly form of Abigail, "father's joy".
- Amber — Golden fossilised tree resin — warm and glowing.
- Angel — A heavenly messenger — worn with varying accuracy.
- Angus — Means "one strength"; also a very good cow.
- Ava — Linked to avis, "bird" — sleek and simple.
- Barney — A jovial form of Barnaby, "son of comfort".
- Baxter — An old trade name meaning "baker".
- Bella — Means "beautiful" — a warm, timeless favourite.
Collections featuring Bailey
Like Bailey? Find names that fit your dog
The Dog Name Matchmaker learns your taste and picks eight names that suit your dog's character — each with a reason it fits.
Naming a new puppy?
A great name is step one. Step two is a great start: our force-free puppy training classes build confidence and recall (that new name gets a workout). New to Pets In The City? Register your dog for a temperament assessment and meet the pack.
By the numbers
- 2 syllables — quick to call
- Ranked #12 of all names in our Auckland community
- About 6.5 in every 1,000 PITC dogs are called Bailey
- Meaning and pronunciation verified by our editors
- Data from 5 Auckland Pets In The City centres
Find names like Bailey Browse all names A–Z
Our Services
Our 5 Auckland Locations
About & Help
Pets In The City — Auckland's premier pet care since 2006, with 5 Auckland locations open 7 days. Email hello@petsinthecity.co.nz.