The word "Baley" is commonly spelled as "Bailey" or "Bailie." It is pronounced as [ˈbeɪli], with the stress on the first syllable, and is derived from the Old English word "baili," which means a bailiff or an officer of the law. The spelling variations are a result of phonetic and regional differences in pronunciation. In general, the spelling "Bailey" is more common in British English, while "Bailie" is more commonly used in Scottish English.