Harley
From Old English hær (“rock”) or hara (“hare”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”).
Every Harley since 1880 — 71,872 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Harley
Harley is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,083 in 2025 with 199 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 71,872 American babies have been named Harley — about 57% boys and 43% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2017, when 1,933 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Harley stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Harley year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 748 | #418 | 199 | #1,083 |
| 2024 | 797 | #396 | 219 | #1,020 |
| 2023 | 891 | #345 | 221 | #998 |
| 2022 | 981 | #329 | 253 | #916 |
| 2021 | 1,046 | #305 | 247 | #920 |
| 2020 | 1,115 | #286 | 300 | #781 |
| 2019 | 1,221 | #273 | 286 | #804 |
| 2018 | 1,415 | #223 | 300 | #775 |
| 2017 | 1,532 | #202 | 401 | #647 |
| 2016 | 1,433 | #224 | 379 | #674 |
| 2015 | 1,136 | #278 | 395 | #654 |
| 2014 | 949 | #350 | 411 | #640 |
| 2013 | 878 | #359 | 403 | #616 |
| 2012 | 760 | #413 | 384 | #632 |
| 2011 | 716 | #436 | 370 | #633 |
| 2010 | 717 | #431 | 449 | #564 |
| 2009 | 764 | #419 | 465 | #568 |
| 2008 | 781 | #411 | 422 | #596 |
| 2007 | 669 | #485 | 419 | #601 |
| 2006 | 836 | #388 | 498 | #518 |
| 2005 | 842 | #375 | 487 | #505 |
| 2004 | 876 | #362 | 560 | #461 |
| 2003 | 997 | #311 | 615 | #417 |
| 2002 | 871 | #342 | 581 | #428 |
| 2001 | 820 | #365 | 529 | #458 |
| 2000 | 756 | #382 | 538 | #444 |
| 1995 | 752 | #350 | 652 | #366 |
| 1990 | 157 | #1,114 | 292 | #589 |
| 1985 | 16 | #4,706 | 226 | #582 |
| 1980 | 10 | #6,453 | 281 | #508 |
| 1975 | 8 | #6,724 | 141 | #700 |
| 1970 | 6 | #7,380 | 129 | #725 |
| 1965 | — | — | 123 | #670 |
| 1960 | — | — | 172 | #598 |
| 1955 | — | — | 225 | #490 |
| 1950 | — | — | 265 | #413 |
| 1945 | — | — | 308 | #343 |
| 1940 | — | — | 346 | #300 |
| 1935 | — | — | 364 | #284 |
| 1930 | 6 | #4,257 | 454 | #264 |
| 1925 | 8 | #3,833 | 462 | #264 |
| 1920 | — | — | 484 | #250 |
| 1915 | — | — | 434 | #229 |
| 1910 | — | — | 89 | #259 |
| 1905 | — | — | 69 | #238 |
| 1900 | — | — | 79 | #225 |
| 1895 | — | — | 68 | #209 |
| 1890 | — | — | 52 | #231 |
| 1885 | — | — | 51 | #232 |
| 1880 | — | — | 70 | #181 |
Famous people named Harley
- Harley Race Wrestler · 1943–2019
- Harley Jane Kozak Actor · b. 1957
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Harley mean?
From Old English hær (“rock”) or hara (“hare”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”).
How popular is the name Harley in 2025?
Harley ranked #1,083 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 199 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Harley?
71,872 babies have been named Harley in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Harley most popular?
Harley peaked in 2017, when 1,933 newborns received the name.
Is Harley a boy or girl name?
Harley is used for both: about 43% of babies named Harley have been girls and 57% boys.
Is the name Harley rising or falling?
Harley is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Harley?
Well-known people named Harley include Harley Race (wrestler), Harley Jane Kozak (actor).