Harley Unisex

Popularity: #740 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HAR-lee //ˈhɑːrli//

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: English: hare meadow; Old English: from the hare's meadow

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Harley has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "hare" meaning 'hare' and "leah" meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow.' This etymological combination suggests a meaning akin to 'hare's meadow' or 'clearing where hares are found.' The name was originally used as a surname before transitioning into a given name, particularly in England, during the 19th century. The earliest recorded use of Harley as a surname can be traced back to the 12th century, indicating its longstanding presence in English-speaking regions.

Historically, the name gained prominence through notable figures such as the English poet and playwright John Harley in the 17th century. Additionally, the name is associated with the Harley Street in London, which has been a center for medical excellence since the 19th century.

The name also appears in literary contexts, notably in the works of authors like Sir Walter Scott, who contributed to its cultural resonance during the Romantic period. Furthermore, the name Harley is linked to the Harley-Davidson motorcycle company, founded in the early 20th century, which has cemented its association with freedom and adventure in American culture.

Culturally, Harley has been embraced in various forms, including the diminutive "Har" or "Lee," which have appeared in different contexts. The name carries connotations of nature and pastoral life, reflecting a connection to the English countryside.

Its historical significance and the imagery associated with it have contributed to its endurance as a name throughout the centuries, making it a symbol of both heritage and modernity.

Famous people named Harley

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

We also feature individuals named Harley 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.

Harley Quinn is a fictional character best known for Batman: The Animated Series, Suicide Squad, and Harley Quinn (TV series).

Harley Race is a professional wrestler best known for his time in the NWA and WWE.

Fictional characters named Harley

The following list of fictional characters named Harley 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.

Harley Quinn is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe. She is a former psychiatrist who becomes the Joker's accomplice and a popular anti-heroine in her own right.

Harley Keener is a fictional character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Iron Man 3. He is a young inventor who helps Tony Stark during his battle against the film's antagonist.

Sibling suggestions

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

HarrisonHarperHaydenHankHollyHaven

Similar names

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

CharlieCarlyRileyKylieMarleyFinleyBaileyToby

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Harley has ranked as high as #368 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, North Carolina, and Michigan.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Harley 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 Harley 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 Harley.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 947 199 748
2024 1,016 219 797
2023 1,112 221 891
2022 1,234 253 981
2021 1,293 247 1,046
2020 1,415 300 1,115
2019 1,507 286 1,221
2018 1,715 300 1,415
2017 1,933 401 1,532
2016 1,812 379 1,433
2015 1,531 395 1,136
2014 1,360 411 949
2013 1,281 403 878
2012 1,144 384 760
2011 1,086 370 716
2010 1,166 449 717
2009 1,229 465 764
2008 1,203 422 781
2007 1,088 419 669
2006 1,334 498 836
2005 1,329 487 842
2004 1,436 560 876
2003 1,612 615 997
2002 1,452 581 871
2001 1,349 529 820
2000 1,294 538 756
1999 1,252 498 754
1998 1,366 541 825
1997 1,266 566 700
1996 1,335 605 730
1995 1,404 652 752
1994 1,647 789 858
1993 1,446 728 718
1992 1,013 557 456
1991 666 350 316
1990 449 292 157
1989 350 269 81
1988 264 228 36
1987 203 189 14
1986 220 203 17
1985 242 226 16
1984 224 209 15
1983 225 213 12
1982 259 247 12
1981 254 244 10
1980 291 281 10
1979 252 244 8
1978 244 237 7
1977 196 189 7
1976 169 169 0
1975 149 141 8
1974 169 169 0
1973 130 130 0
1972 140 135 5
1971 140 134 6
1970 135 129 6
1969 113 113 0
1968 128 123 5
1967 125 125 0
1966 140 140 0
1965 123 123 0
1964 147 147 0
1963 134 134 0
1962 138 138 0
1961 167 167 0
1960 172 172 0
1959 177 177 0
1958 177 177 0
1957 234 234 0
1956 237 237 0
1955 225 225 0
1954 243 243 0
1953 261 256 5
1952 277 272 5
1951 257 257 0
1950 265 265 0
1949 303 303 0
1948 295 295 0
1947 336 336 0
1946 318 318 0
1945 308 308 0
1944 309 309 0
1943 355 355 0
1942 319 319 0
1941 326 326 0
1940 346 346 0
1939 340 333 7
1938 357 350 7
1937 363 363 0
1936 354 354 0
1935 364 364 0
1934 375 375 0
1933 358 352 6
1932 404 396 8
1931 440 440 0
1930 460 454 6
1929 427 427 0
1928 484 484 0
1927 462 456 6
1926 492 492 0
1925 470 462 8
1924 531 522 9
1923 478 478 0
1922 525 525 0
1921 537 537 0
1920 484 484 0
1919 458 452 6
1918 491 491 0
1917 430 430 0
1916 460 454 6
1915 434 434 0
1914 322 322 0
1913 204 204 0
1912 197 197 0
1911 88 88 0
1910 89 89 0
1909 73 73 0
1908 71 71 0
1907 75 75 0
1906 52 52 0
1905 69 69 0
1904 56 56 0
1903 65 65 0
1902 83 83 0
1901 63 63 0
1900 79 79 0
1899 59 59 0
1898 71 71 0
1897 82 82 0
1896 64 64 0
1895 68 68 0
1894 63 63 0
1893 76 76 0
1892 91 91 0
1891 64 64 0
1890 52 52 0
1889 60 60 0
1888 82 82 0
1887 77 77 0
1886 73 73 0
1885 51 51 0
1884 73 73 0
1883 63 63 0
1882 75 75 0
1881 61 61 0
1880 70 70 0

Top States for Harley (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 132
14%
TX 90
10%
NY 49
5%
FL 46
5%
NC 38
4%
OH 32
3%
PA 30
3%
TN 29
3%
GA 28
3%
MO 27
3%
VA 26
3%
IL 25
3%
AZ 25
3%
MN 23
2%
UT 22
2%
WA 22
2%
KY 21
2%
MI 21
2%
OK 21
2%
IN 19
2%
CO 18
2%
AR 16
2%
OR 15
2%
MD 15
2%
NJ 14
1%
NV 14
1%
AL 13
1%
MA 12
1%
IA 11
1%
MS 10
1%
LA 10
1%
CT 9
1%
WV 9
1%
SC 9
1%
ID 8
1%
NE 7
1%
NM 7
1%
WI 5
1%
ND 5
1%
KS 5
1%