Harley is an English given name for males that has gained popularity in recent years. Its origin can be traced back to the Old English word "Hære" which means "hare". However, it is also associated with the last name Harley, which is of Anglo-Saxon origin and means "from the hare field".
The name Harley has a rich history dating back to medieval times. It was often used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name in the 20th century. Some notable figures with the name include motorcycle manufacturer William S. Harley, who co-founded the Harley-Davidson Motor Company in 1903.
Today, Harley is still predominantly used as a male given name but has also been occasionally used for females in recent years. It has gained popularity due to its unique sound and association with popular culture, such as the motorcycle brand Harley-Davidson. Despite its unconventional origins, Harley has become a recognized and beloved name for many families around the world.
The name Harley has been popular among parents in the United States for over a century, with its popularity fluctuating over time. According to statistics from the Social Security Administration, there were 70 births with the name Harley in 1880, marking the beginning of a trend that would continue through the 20th and into the 21st century.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Harley varied year to year. In some years, such as 1914 and 1915, there were significant increases in the number of births with this name, with 322 and 434 respectively. However, in other years, such as 1960 and 1961, the number of births with the name Harley dropped significantly to 172 and 167 respectively.
Despite these fluctuations, the name Harley continued to be used consistently throughout much of the mid-20th century. It was not until the late 1970s that the popularity of the name began to increase dramatically again, with 237 births in 1978 and peaking at 727 births in 1993.
However, even this high level of popularity did not last long, as the number of births with the name Harley began to decline once again in the late 1990s. In recent years, the popularity of the name has continued to fluctuate, with a total of 217 births recorded in 2023.
Overall, while the name Harley has had its ups and downs in popularity over the years, it remains a name that is still used today, with a total of 40,270 babies named Harley born in the United States since 1880.