WWE Superstar Bayley recently shared the story behind her ring name and the reasoning for her choice. Before joining WWE NXT, she wrestled under the name Davina Rhodes on the independent circuit, but switched to a completely different identity upon debuting in WWE. During an interview on The Undertaker’s podcast, Six Feet Under, she explained how her WWE name came to be.
Bayley revealed that she didn’t actually select the name "Bayley" herself. She was asked by NXT to submit a list of potential ring names and deliberately included unisex names, assuming none would be chosen. When she received the options back, one was "Bayley" and another was "Davia"—a variation of her indie name but not quite the same. She wasn’t thrilled with any option but was informed she’d be featured on TV soon, so she had to pick one. Ultimately, she chose "Bayley," personalizing the spelling to "Bayley" to reflect her Bay Area roots.
Recalling the experience, she shared that her team had to decide quickly due to her upcoming TV appearance, and although the name was initially spelled "Bailey," she requested the change to "Bayley" to honor where she’s from. Her friend Lyla often teases her about it, but Bayley embraces the uniqueness.
Given her origins from the San Francisco Bay Area, the name felt like a natural fit. From there, her career took off and the name Bayley became iconic.
Fan Take: This insight into Bayley’s ring name adds depth to her character, highlighting her connection to her roots and the thoughtful process behind WWE personas. For fans, this story enriches Bayley’s narrative and shows how genuine personal ties can shape wrestling identities, adding authenticity to the sport.
