Bradley: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, & Inspiration

Boy name origins & meanings

Old English : Broad meadow

What does Bradley mean and stand for?

The name Bradley is of Old English origin and means "broad meadow." It was derived from a place name used as a surname meaning the same thing.

Syllables: 2

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

English : habitational name from any of the many places throughout England named Bradley, from Old English brād ‘broad’ + lēah ‘woodland clearing’.
Scottish : habitational name from Braidlie in Roxburghshire.
Irish (Ulster) : adopted as an English equivalent of Gaelic Ó Brolcháin.

What Does the Name Bradley Mean?

Bradley is a gender-neutral name of English origin and means "wide meadow." It dates back to at least 1086, where it was originally a surname.

How Popular is the Name Bradley?

Bradley is the number 313 most popular boys name in the US, according to 2021 Social Security Administration data. It has rapidly decreased in popularity, falling over 40 spots last year and finding its way outside of the top 300.

However, it is the 13th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.

Popularity of the Name Bradley in the United States

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Bradley was at its peak popularity in February 2019.

Bradley was searched for most often in the following states:

Connecticut
Illinois
Tennessee
New Jersey
Wisconsin

Famous People Named Bradley and Bradley in Pop Culture

Centuries old, Bradley is a classic name that has only recently fallen in popularity. It was popular in America before it reached England, but Charles Dickens did use this name in his novel Our Mutual Friend. The name also invokes images of actor Bradley Cooper, actor William Bradley "Brad" Pitt, actor Bradley James, comedian Bradley Sherwood, and singer Bradley Roberts.