Harley
Harley: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhɑɹli/
Meaning and origin of Harley
Root meaning: “rock”
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English hær (“rock”) or hara (“hare”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”). Equivalent to hare + -ley (“lea”).
How popular is Harley?
Since 1880, 31,167 girls and 40,705 boys in the U.S. have been named Harley (43% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #202 in 2017. Its highest rank for boys was #164 in 1887. In 2025, 947 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Harley
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Harley
Sister and brother names that share Harley's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Harley FAQ
What does the name Harley mean?
Harley traces back to a root meaning "rock". A unisex given name transferred from the surname. From Old English hær (“rock”) or hara (“hare”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”). Equivalent to hare + -ley (“lea”).
What is the origin of the name Harley?
Harley is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Harley?
Since 1880, 31,167 girls and 40,705 boys in the U.S. have been named Harley (43% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #202 in 2017. Its highest rank for boys was #164 in 1887. In 2025, 947 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Harley a boy or girl name?
Harley is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (31,167 girls and 40,705 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.