Whitley

Whitley is an English place-name surname built from elements usually interpreted as “white clearing” or “white meadow.” The color description belongs to the old place name; it does not refer to the appearance of a person bearing the given name. The ending is related to the leah found in many English settlement names.

A prominent fictional bearer is Whitley in the television series A Different World. That association helps distinguish Whitley from Whitney, a similar-looking but separate surname name. Whit is a compact short form, while Whitleigh and Whitlee offer alternate written endings. Whitley retains the familiar surname spelling and a geographical history even when chosen primarily for its sound.