Declining since 1994, #1,081 for boys today.
Popularity of Harley since 1880
Babies named Harley per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1994, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Harley's real moment was 1887.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 685 |
| 1890s | 0 | 690 |
| 1900s | 0 | 686 |
| 1910s | 12 | 3,161 |
| 1920s | 23 | 4,867 |
| 1930s | 34 | 3,781 |
| 1940s | 0 | 3,215 |
| 1950s | 10 | 2,343 |
| 1960s | 5 | 1,382 |
| 1970s | 47 | 1,677 |
| 1980s | 223 | 2,309 |
| 1990s | 6,266 | 5,578 |
| 2000s | 8,212 | 5,114 |
| 2010s | 10,757 | 3,778 |
| 2020s | 5,578 | 1,439 |
Meaning & origin
Harley is an English surname-turned-given name with roots in Old English, meaning 'hare's meadow.' It entered the U.S. naming pool in 1880 and reached its peak popularity in 1887, when it ranked highest. Since 1994, its usage has been declining, though it remains recognizable. In 2025, Harley ranked 1,081st, with approximately 1 in every 8,583 newborns receiving the name. It is most common in Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Kentucky. Traditionally more common for boys, Harley has also been adopted for girls in recent decades, giving it a unisex appeal.
Harley is an English surname transferred to given name use. It derives from place names meaning 'hare's wood' or 'hare's clearing,' from Old English 'hara' (hare) and 'leah' (wood, clearing). It first appeared as a given name in the late 19th century, possibly influenced by the Harley-Davidson motorcycle company, founded in 1903.
Where Harley is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Harley” around the world
Where Harley lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
8
babies in 2025
New Zealand
32
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Har, Lee
Variants: Harleigh
Sibling names for Harley
Names that share Harley's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Bailey, Riley, Kendall, Mackenzie, Peyton, Harleen, Harleigh, Harlie, Atley, Rayleigh, Arleigh, Asley, Brinnley, Harlene, Hazley, Staley, Aslee, Audi, Daily, Greenly, Lezley, Lundy, Merly, Karolee, Dallys, Harla, Harlea, Hasley, Mosley, Yorley
Brothers: Tanner, Dalton, Dylan, Logan, Carson, Chevy, Harlin, Halen, Farley, Hanley, Rockey, Diezel, Harvin, Okley
Names like Harley
Names whose popularity has moved with Harley's over the last 50 years.
