Harvey
Harvey: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhɑːvi/ · /ˈhɑ(ɹ)vi/
Meaning and origin of Harvey
Root meaning: “iron”
- A surname transferred from the given name.
- A male given name from the Celtic languages, in modern use often transferred back from the surname.
Etymology
From Haerviu, name of a Breton saint, from Old Breton hoiarn (“iron”) + viu (“blazing”). Cognate with modern Breton Haerviu. In Ireland, used as an anglicisation of Irish Ó hAirmheadhaigh and Ó hEarchaidh. The civil parish in New Brunswick is probably named in honour of British colonial administrator John Harvey (1778 - 1852).
How popular is Harvey?
Since 1880, 867 girls and 127,925 boys in the U.S. have been named Harvey (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1494 in 1926. Its highest rank for boys was #51 in 1880. In 2025 it ranked #251 for boys, with 1,400 babies given the name.
Names similar to Harvey
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Celtic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Harvey
Sister and brother names that share Harvey's Celtic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Harvey FAQ
What does the name Harvey mean?
Harvey traces back to a root meaning "iron". A surname transferred from the given name. A male given name from the Celtic languages, in modern use often transferred back from the surname. From Haerviu, name of a Breton saint, from Old Breton hoiarn (“iron”) + viu (“blazing”). Cognate with modern Breton Haerviu. In Ireland, used as an anglicisation of Irish Ó hAirmheadhaigh and Ó hEarchaidh. The civil parish in New Brunswick is probably named in honour of British colonial administrator John Harvey (1778 - 1852).
What is the origin of the name Harvey?
Harvey is listed as a name of Celtic origin.
How popular is the name Harvey?
Since 1880, 867 girls and 127,925 boys in the U.S. have been named Harvey (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1494 in 1926. Its highest rank for boys was #51 in 1880. In 2025 it ranked #251 for boys, with 1,400 babies given the name.
Is Harvey a boy or girl name?
Harvey is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 867 girls and 127,925 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.