Harvey Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationHAR-vee / /ˈhɑːrvi/Old French; Germanic
Meaning
Old French: 'battle worthy'; Germanic: 'strong army'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Harvey has its roots in the Old Breton name "Haerviu," which is composed of the elements "haer," meaning "battle," and "viu," meaning "worthy" or "brave." This name was introduced to England by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066, evolving through various forms such as "Herve" in Old French before becoming established in Middle English as "Harvey." The transition into English was facilitated by the cultural exchanges and linguistic influences that accompanied the Norman rule, embedding the name within the English-speaking populace.
Historically, the name Harvey is associated with Saint Harvey, a Breton saint from the 6th century, who is venerated in Brittany, France. His legacy contributed to the name's spread, particularly in the regions of England with strong ties to Brittany. The name also appears in various historical texts and records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is noted in the context of land ownership and lineage, indicating its early adoption among the Anglo-Norman aristocracy.
Culturally, the name Harvey has been linked to notions of valor and nobility, resonating with the qualities suggested by its etymological roots. It has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing strength and honor. The diminutive form "Harv" has also emerged, though it is less commonly noted in historical texts. Overall, the name Harvey carries a rich historical and cultural significance, reflecting the intertwining of language, history, and identity in medieval England.
Trend Summary
Harvey has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, experiencing a resurgence in recent years.
Similar Names
Variants
- Harvie
- Harv
International Variants
- Harvey (English)
- Harvée (French)
Famous people named Harvey
Harvey Weinstein is a film producer best known for Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love, and The King's Speech.
Harvey Keitel is an actor best known for Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and The Piano.
Harvey Fierstein is an actor and playwright best known for Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles, and Hairspray.
Harvey Milk is a civil rights activist best known for being one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States.
Fictional characters named Harvey
Harvey is a fictional character from the play and film Harvey. He is an imaginary rabbit that only Elwood P. Dowd can see, representing themes of friendship and mental health.
Harvey Dent is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe. He is a prominent district attorney in Gotham City who becomes the villain Two-Face after a tragic accident.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Harvey was first seen in the United States in 1880. Harvey has ranked as high as #202 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, California, and Texas. In the past 5 years the name Harvey has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Harvey (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
TX | 120 | |
CA | 109 | |
MN | 72 | |
FL | 67 | |
NY | 63 | |
UT | 60 | |
MI | 59 | |
OH | 58 | |
PA | 56 | |
WI | 51 | |
WA | 49 | |
MO | 42 | |
NC | 40 | |
GA | 37 | |
IL | 36 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 344 |
1881 | 282 |
1882 | 300 |
1883 | 318 |
1884 | 358 |
1885 | 304 |
1886 | 310 |
1887 | 262 |
1888 | 334 |
1889 | 311 |
1890 | 296 |
1891 | 274 |
1892 | 298 |
1893 | 284 |
1894 | 293 |
1895 | 282 |
1896 | 292 |
1897 | 268 |
1898 | 284 |
1899 | 251 |
1900 | 322 |
1901 | 253 |
1902 | 264 |
1903 | 293 |
1904 | 300 |
1905 | 286 |
1906 | 351 |
1907 | 335 |
1908 | 339 |
1909 | 361 |
1910 | 382 |
1911 | 446 |
1912 | 875 |
1913 | 1,028 |
1914 | 1,250 |
1915 | 1,613 |
1916 | 1,763 |
1917 | 1,808 |
1918 | 2,111 |
1919 | 2,028 |
1920 | 2,165 |
1921 | 2,287 |
1922 | 2,207 |
1923 | 2,115 |
1924 | 2,242 |
1925 | 2,190 |
1926 | 2,128 |
1927 | 2,201 |
1928 | 2,187 |
1929 | 2,063 |
1930 | 2,062 |
1931 | 1,978 |
1932 | 2,030 |
1933 | 1,896 |
1934 | 1,934 |
1935 | 1,958 |
1936 | 1,970 |
1937 | 2,081 |
1938 | 2,051 |
1939 | 1,946 |
1940 | 2,088 |
1941 | 2,017 |
1942 | 2,284 |
1943 | 2,244 |
1944 | 1,951 |
1945 | 1,974 |
1946 | 2,058 |
1947 | 2,207 |
1948 | 2,004 |
1949 | 1,936 |
1950 | 1,811 |
1951 | 1,642 |
1952 | 1,594 |
1953 | 1,535 |
1954 | 1,460 |
1955 | 1,289 |
1956 | 1,379 |
1957 | 1,278 |
1958 | 1,178 |
1959 | 1,082 |
1960 | 1,001 |
1961 | 958 |
1962 | 859 |
1963 | 887 |
1964 | 865 |
1965 | 722 |
1966 | 661 |
1967 | 623 |
1968 | 630 |
1969 | 577 |
1970 | 542 |
1971 | 495 |
1972 | 443 |
1973 | 401 |
1974 | 425 |
1975 | 339 |
1976 | 327 |
1977 | 319 |
1978 | 320 |
1979 | 298 |
1980 | 284 |
1981 | 285 |
1982 | 254 |
1983 | 259 |
1984 | 206 |
1985 | 233 |
1986 | 189 |
1987 | 216 |
1988 | 254 |
1989 | 232 |
1990 | 214 |
1991 | 191 |
1992 | 177 |
1993 | 180 |
1994 | 170 |
1995 | 145 |
1996 | 142 |
1997 | 153 |
1998 | 139 |
1999 | 143 |
2000 | 162 |
2001 | 134 |
2002 | 138 |
2003 | 139 |
2004 | 153 |
2005 | 162 |
2006 | 143 |
2007 | 151 |
2008 | 145 |
2009 | 181 |
2010 | 189 |
2011 | 250 |
2012 | 288 |
2013 | 406 |
2014 | 578 |
2015 | 697 |
2016 | 778 |
2017 | 856 |
2018 | 683 |
2019 | 773 |
2020 | 714 |
2021 | 733 |
2022 | 794 |
2023 | 1,028 |
2024 | 1,441 |