Boy name origins & meanings
- Old English : Rabbit archer
What Does Harley Mean and Stand For?
The name Harley means "rabbit archer." This Old English name originated as a boys' name, but has developed into a popular girl and gender-neutral name overtime.
Syllables: 2
Boy name variations
How Popular Is The Name Harley
Family name origins & meanings
- English (now mainly in Scotland; also West Midlands and Welsh border) : habitational name from places in Shropshire and West Yorkshire, so named from Old English hær ‘rock’, ‘heap of stones’ or hara ‘hare’ + lēah ‘wood’, ‘clearing’. In some cases the name may be topographic.
- Irish : when not of English origin, this is an Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó hEarghaile ‘descendant of Earghal’, a variant of the personal name Fearghal without the initial F- (see Farrell).
What Does the Name Harley Mean?
Harley is a gender-neutral name of Old English origin, meaning "rabbit archer." Harley was once a predominantly male name, however it is now more popular for girls than it is for boys. This is perhaps due to the Batman character Harley Quinn, famously played by Margot Robbie in the 2016 movie Suicide Squad.
The name Harley is often associated with the motorcycle company Harley Davidson.
How Popular is the Name Harley?
Harley is the #306 most popular girls name and #923 most popular boys' name in the U.S., according to 2021 Social Security Administration data. As it has been rising in popularity for girls, it has been declining for boys. However, Harley ranks #8 on FamilyEducation.com.
According to Google search administration data, in the last five years Harley was at its peak popularity in June 2018.
Popularity of the Name Harley in the United States
Harley was searched for most often in the following states:
- South Dakota
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Famous People Named Harley and Harley in Pop Culture
Famous Harley's include Peppa Pig voice actress Harley Bird, British "Rizzle Kicks" rapper Harley Alexander-Sule, and Canadian actor Harley Cross.
Harley Davidson is an American motorcycle manufacturer.
The name Harley features in Boy Meets World, Iron Man 3, and Suicide Squad.
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