Hadley

Hadley is a surname and a given name of English origin. It derives from place names in England and has become a common toponymic surname and given name in English-speaking countries.

Geography: Several places are named Hadley in the United States and the United Kingdom. Notable examples include Hadley, Massachusetts, a town in Hampden County, and Hadley, Shropshire, England.

Science: The Hadley cell is a major pattern of global atmospheric circulation. Named after English meteorologist George Hadley, who proposed the idea in the 18th century, the cell describes air rising near the equator, moving toward the subtropics, and sinking in the subtropics, a circulation that helps drive the trade winds.

Institutions and culture: The Met Office Hadley Centre for climate prediction and research in the United Kingdom bears the Hadley name, reflecting the term’s scientific legacy. As a surname and given name, Hadley is carried by many people across politics, sports, and the arts.