Bentley Boy

Popularity: #207 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BENT-lee //ˈbɛntli//

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: English: Bent grass meadow; Old English: From the bent grass field

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Bentley originates from Old English, derived from the elements "bent," meaning "bent grass" or "meadow," and "leah," meaning "woodland" or "clearing." This etymological combination suggests a geographical reference to a clearing in a grassy area, indicative of the name's roots in nature and landscape. The name was first recorded in England as a surname in the medieval period, particularly in the 12th century, and it gradually transitioned into use as a given name over the following centuries, particularly in the 19th century as surnames began to be adopted as first names in English-speaking cultures.

Historically, the name Bentley is associated with several notable figures and places. One significant milestone is the establishment of Bentley as a surname in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landholdings in England after the Norman Conquest.

The name is also linked to various locations in England, such as Bentley in Hampshire and Bentley in West Midlands, which further solidified its geographical significance. Additionally, the name has been borne by various historical figures, including Bentley, the 18th-century English scholar Richard Bentley, who was known for his work in classical scholarship and textual criticism.

Culturally, Bentley has resonated through its associations with the English gentry and landed aristocracy, often evoking images of pastoral landscapes and traditional English heritage. The name has been embraced in literature and popular culture, contributing to its enduring presence.

The diminutive form "Ben" has also emerged from Bentley, providing a more casual alternative while retaining the name's historical roots. Overall, Bentley encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic history, geographical significance, and cultural associations that have contributed to its lasting legacy.

Famous people named Bentley

In this section, you will find notable people named Bentley. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Bentley who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Bentley who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Bentley Little is an author best known for The Store, The Association, and The Walking.

Fictional characters named Bentley

The following list of fictional characters named Bentley is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Bentley is a fictional character from the video game series Sly Cooper. He is a genius turtle and the team's strategist, known for his technical skills and inventions.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Bentley, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

BrodyCodyKendallRileySawyerTanner

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Bentley. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

BennettBrantleyBeckettBentleeBentonBradyBlakeBrock

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Bentley was first seen in the United States in 1890.

Bentley has ranked as high as #107 nationally, which occurred in 2012, and has been most popular in Texas, Ohio, California, Tennessee, and Florida.

In the past 5 years the name Bentley has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Bentley is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Bentley was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Bentley.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,795 1,649 146
2024 1,902 1,782 120
2023 2,066 1,922 144
2022 2,327 2,197 130
2021 2,656 2,522 134
2020 2,705 2,590 115
2019 3,135 2,983 152
2018 3,423 3,279 144
2017 3,992 3,841 151
2016 4,225 4,073 152
2015 4,527 4,342 185
2014 4,963 4,785 178
2013 5,610 5,395 215
2012 6,143 5,895 248
2011 5,875 5,587 288
2010 4,009 3,776 233
2009 666 522 144
2008 310 217 93
2007 276 195 81
2006 246 170 76
2005 186 130 56
2004 146 101 45
2003 118 81 37
2002 106 70 36
2001 114 74 40
2000 66 39 27
1999 63 43 20
1998 47 31 16
1997 54 34 20
1996 43 27 16
1995 40 30 10
1994 38 27 11
1993 34 26 8
1992 37 24 13
1991 34 26 8
1990 35 26 9
1989 42 34 8
1988 44 31 13
1987 33 27 6
1986 33 26 7
1985 32 32 0
1984 18 18 0
1983 20 20 0
1982 29 29 0
1981 18 18 0
1980 22 22 0
1979 23 23 0
1978 21 21 0
1977 16 16 0
1976 22 22 0
1975 11 11 0
1974 18 18 0
1973 16 16 0
1972 17 17 0
1971 20 20 0
1970 25 25 0
1969 24 24 0
1968 21 21 0
1967 27 27 0
1966 32 32 0
1965 29 29 0
1964 50 50 0
1963 42 42 0
1962 67 67 0
1961 65 65 0
1960 44 44 0
1959 46 46 0
1958 41 41 0
1957 10 10 0
1956 18 18 0
1955 13 13 0
1954 16 16 0
1953 15 15 0
1952 17 17 0
1951 9 9 0
1950 10 10 0
1949 7 7 0
1948 14 14 0
1947 16 16 0
1946 16 16 0
1945 9 9 0
1944 14 14 0
1943 10 10 0
1942 19 19 0
1941 20 20 0
1940 14 14 0
1939 10 10 0
1938 9 9 0
1937 8 8 0
1936 13 13 0
1935 11 11 0
1934 10 10 0
1933 14 14 0
1932 10 10 0
1931 8 8 0
1930 15 15 0
1929 13 13 0
1928 7 7 0
1927 17 17 0
1926 18 18 0
1925 16 16 0
1924 16 16 0
1923 12 12 0
1922 13 13 0
1921 15 15 0
1920 11 11 0
1919 14 14 0
1918 14 14 0
1917 14 14 0
1916 15 15 0
1915 6 6 0
1914 5 5 0
1913 6 6 0
1911 9 9 0
1890 6 6 0

Top States for Bentley (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 124
7%
OH 120
7%
TN 88
5%
KY 78
4%
IN 73
4%
IL 70
4%
PA 69
4%
CA 66
4%
NY 66
4%
FL 66
4%
MO 63
3%
MI 61
3%
GA 59
3%
NC 56
3%
WI 51
3%
VA 47
3%
WA 47
3%
SC 41
2%
AL 39
2%
LA 38
2%
UT 37
2%
OK 34
2%
AZ 33
2%
KS 33
2%
MA 29
2%
MS 27
1%
CO 26
1%
IA 26
1%
MN 24
1%
AR 24
1%
OR 22
1%
WV 22
1%
ME 18
1%
NJ 16
1%
MD 16
1%
SD 15
1%
ID 14
1%
NE 14
1%
VT 13
1%
NH 10
1%
NV 8
0%
CT 8
0%
ND 8
0%
MT 7
0%
WY 6
0%
AK 6
0%
DE 5
0%