Bradley Boy

Popularity: #375 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BRAD-lee //ˈbrædli//

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: English: broad wood; Old English: from the broad clearing

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Bradley has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "brad," meaning broad, and "leah," meaning clearing or meadow. This etymological combination suggests a literal meaning of "broad wood" or "broad clearing." The name was originally used as a surname, which was common practice in medieval England, and it began to be adopted as a given name in the 19th century.

The transition from surname to first name reflects a broader trend in English naming conventions during this period, where many surnames were repurposed as first names. Historically, the name Bradley can be traced back to various locations in England, particularly in the Midlands.

The first recorded instances of the name appear in the 13th century, with references to individuals named Bradley in historical documents. The name gained further recognition through its association with notable figures, including various local leaders and landowners throughout the centuries.

While there are no biblical figures or saints directly associated with the name, its usage in English literature and historical texts has contributed to its enduring presence. Culturally, the name Bradley has been associated with qualities of strength and stability, likely due to its meaning related to broad, open spaces.

This connection to nature and land may have contributed to its appeal in various contexts, including literature and popular culture. The name has also seen variations and diminutives, such as Brad, which have been used informally.

Overall, Bradley's historical and etymological significance reflects a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural resonance that has allowed it to maintain a presence in English-speaking societies.

Famous people named Bradley

In this section, you will find notable people named Bradley. 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 Bradley who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Bradley 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.

Bradley Cooper is an actor and filmmaker best known for Silver Linings Playbook, American Sniper, and A Star Is Born.

Bradley Walsh is an actor and television presenter best known for The Chase, Doctor Who, and Law & Order: UK.

Bradley Beal is a professional basketball player best known for playing with the Washington Wizards and being a multiple-time NBA All-Star.

Bradley Wiggins is a retired professional cyclist best known for winning the Tour de France and multiple Olympic gold medals.

Bradley James is an actor best known for his roles in Merlin, Damien, and The White Princess.

Fictional characters named Bradley

The following list of fictional characters named Bradley 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.

Bradley is a fictional character from the animated series The Magic School Bus. He is a student in Ms. Frizzle's class who often participates in the educational adventures.

Sibling suggestions

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

BrandonBrettBrodyBlakeBryceBlaine

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Bradley. 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.

BradyBlaineBradfordBraydenBrooksBrockBrennanBrendanBraylon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Bradley was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Bradley has ranked as high as #91 nationally, which occurred in 1980, and has been most popular in California, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, and Michigan.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Bradley 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 Bradley 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 Bradley.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 830 794 36
2024 962 910 52
2023 957 908 49
2022 1,014 952 62
2021 1,132 1,074 58
2020 1,283 1,237 46
2019 1,496 1,443 53
2018 1,544 1,496 48
2017 1,698 1,649 49
2016 2,112 2,054 58
2015 2,453 2,402 51
2014 2,373 2,330 43
2013 2,360 2,330 30
2012 2,315 2,300 15
2011 2,176 2,161 15
2010 2,008 1,995 13
2009 1,964 1,951 13
2008 1,961 1,953 8
2007 2,087 2,075 12
2006 2,150 2,137 13
2005 2,426 2,409 17
2004 2,328 2,308 20
2003 2,406 2,394 12
2002 2,660 2,645 15
2001 2,740 2,729 11
2000 3,035 3,017 18
1999 3,593 3,576 17
1998 3,818 3,795 23
1997 4,137 4,124 13
1996 4,777 4,755 22
1995 4,787 4,764 23
1994 4,695 4,678 17
1993 5,152 5,136 16
1992 5,117 5,098 19
1991 5,750 5,723 27
1990 6,454 6,437 17
1989 7,002 6,977 25
1988 7,046 7,017 29
1987 6,974 6,918 56
1986 7,094 7,044 50
1985 7,048 7,011 37
1984 6,623 6,567 56
1983 6,771 6,738 33
1982 7,021 6,975 46
1981 6,939 6,895 44
1980 7,262 7,210 52
1979 6,954 6,923 31
1978 6,135 6,096 39
1977 6,465 6,431 34
1976 6,004 5,976 28
1975 5,926 5,894 32
1974 5,201 5,173 28
1973 4,769 4,748 21
1972 4,865 4,839 26
1971 5,810 5,780 30
1970 6,842 6,818 24
1969 6,417 6,389 28
1968 4,825 4,804 21
1967 4,357 4,342 15
1966 4,572 4,555 17
1965 4,803 4,787 16
1964 4,972 4,960 12
1963 4,776 4,765 11
1962 4,646 4,637 9
1961 4,754 4,745 9
1960 4,753 4,746 7
1959 4,067 4,052 15
1958 3,743 3,734 9
1957 3,536 3,528 8
1956 3,519 3,519 0
1955 3,189 3,183 6
1954 3,245 3,240 5
1953 2,771 2,764 7
1952 2,045 2,045 0
1951 1,810 1,810 0
1950 1,637 1,632 5
1949 1,317 1,311 6
1948 1,029 1,029 0
1947 835 830 5
1946 561 561 0
1945 310 310 0
1944 307 307 0
1943 329 329 0
1942 342 342 0
1941 286 286 0
1940 227 227 0
1939 206 206 0
1938 207 207 0
1937 216 216 0
1936 215 215 0
1935 237 237 0
1934 166 166 0
1933 160 160 0
1932 140 140 0
1931 161 161 0
1930 122 122 0
1929 110 110 0
1928 110 110 0
1927 91 91 0
1926 81 81 0
1925 79 79 0
1924 86 86 0
1923 80 80 0
1922 86 86 0
1921 64 64 0
1920 92 86 6
1919 53 53 0
1918 81 81 0
1917 49 49 0
1916 70 70 0
1915 66 66 0
1914 44 44 0
1913 42 42 0
1912 36 36 0
1911 21 21 0
1910 17 17 0
1909 19 19 0
1908 18 18 0
1907 14 14 0
1906 12 12 0
1905 9 9 0
1904 15 15 0
1903 6 6 0
1902 9 9 0
1901 11 11 0
1900 15 15 0
1899 8 8 0
1898 15 15 0
1897 16 16 0
1896 24 24 0
1895 26 26 0
1894 9 9 0
1893 6 6 0
1891 5 5 0
1890 9 9 0
1887 5 5 0
1885 9 9 0
1883 8 8 0
1882 5 5 0
1881 10 10 0
1880 5 5 0

Top States for Bradley (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
CA 101
11%
TX 91
10%
FL 78
9%
NY 46
5%
PA 38
4%
NJ 37
4%
GA 32
4%
NC 30
3%
IN 28
3%
TN 25
3%
VA 24
3%
MI 23
3%
OH 23
3%
MA 22
2%
IL 20
2%
AZ 20
2%
MD 18
2%
AL 17
2%
WA 17
2%
KY 17
2%
SC 15
2%
MO 13
1%
OK 13
1%
WI 13
1%
LA 13
1%
MS 11
1%
OR 11
1%
CO 11
1%
IA 11
1%
UT 10
1%
MN 9
1%
CT 9
1%
WV 9
1%
NE 7
1%
RI 6
1%
ID 5
1%
AR 5
1%
KS 5
1%
MT 5
1%
NM 5
1%