Bradley
Bradley is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Broad meadow or broad clearing.
Origin and history
Bradley is an English masculine name derived from an Old English surname and place name. It historically referred to a person living near a broad meadow or clearing. The name became popular as a given name in the 20th century and remains a classic, familiar choice in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
313,008 babies in the United States have been named Bradley since 1880. It ranks #113 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #336.
States where it is most popular
- CA (7.8 %)
- IL (6.2 %)
- OH (6.1 %)
- TX (5.7 %)
- MI (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 42 |
| 1890-1900 | 118 |
| 1900-1910 | 128 |
| 1910-1920 | 479 |
| 1920-1930 | 873 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,830 |
| 1940-1950 | 5,532 |
| 1950-1960 | 29,507 |
| 1960-1970 | 48,730 |
| 1970-1980 | 58,678 |
| 1980-1990 | 69,352 |
| 1990-2000 | 48,086 |
| 2000-2010 | 23,618 |
| 2010-2019 | 20,160 |
| 2020-2029 | 5,875 |
Famous people named Bradley
- Bradley Cooper: Actor, Filmmaker
- Bradley Beal: Basketball Player
- Bradley Wiggins: Cyclist
Nicknames
Brad
Fun facts
- The name stems from Old English words 'brad' (broad) and 'leah' (woodland or meadow), describing various locations across England.
- Originally a common English surname, Bradley transitioned into a popular masculine given name during the 19th and 20th centuries.