Harley

“Hare's meadow, or rock clearing” — Old English origin

Boy's name · #1081 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Harley has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #163 (1887) · 40,705 babies named Harley all-time · 1 in 8,300 boys born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 500 boys in New Zealand (2025) · about 1 in 740 boys in England & Wales (2025) · about 1 in 1,400 boys in N. Ireland (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 30 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Harleys

Harley Race — American professional wrestler, promoter and trainer (1943–2019)
Harley Earl — American designer (1893-1969)
Harley Granville-Barker — British actor and playwright (1877–1946)
Harley Cokeliss — director (born 1945)
Harley Rouda — American politician

In stories & tradition

Harley Warren — The Statement of Randolph Carter · The Silver Key
Harley Cooper — Guiding Light
Harley Keener — Iron Man 3 · Avengers: Endgame

What Harleys become

Among 182 notable people named Harley:

Entertainers appear 1.42× more often than among typical names — e.g. Harley Granville-Barker, British actor and playwright (1877–1946).

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.