Declining since 2017, #2,485 for girls today.
Popularity of Berkeley since 1913
Babies named Berkeley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 51 |
| 1920s | 5 | 89 |
| 1930s | 0 | 73 |
| 1940s | 0 | 64 |
| 1950s | 0 | 68 |
| 1960s | 0 | 56 |
| 1970s | 18 | 46 |
| 1980s | 69 | 30 |
| 1990s | 143 | 81 |
| 2000s | 374 | 107 |
| 2010s | 967 | 170 |
| 2020s | 497 | 65 |
Meaning & origin
Berkeley is a locational surname turned given name with roots in Old English, originally meaning 'birch wood.' First recorded as a given name in 1923, it remained rare for decades. A notable rise began in the 2000s, peaking in 2017. Since then, its popularity has declined, but it still holds a modest place in modern naming trends. In 2025, the name ranked #2,485 for girls, with an incidence of 1 in 22,638. Geographically, it appears most frequently in North Carolina and Texas. Berkeley fits a pattern of surname-names for girls, often chosen for its scholarly and outdoorsy associations.
Berkeley is an English surname and place name derived from Old English 'beorc' (birch) and 'leah' (clearing, wood). It originated as a locational name from Berkeley in Gloucestershire, England. As a given name, it has been used since the early 20th century, likely influenced by the surname or the University of California, Berkeley. It is more commonly given to girls in modern times.
Where Berkeley is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Berk, Lee
Variants: Berkley
Sibling names for Berkeley
Names that share Berkeley's style, for a brother or sister.
