Bradley: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: There’s a species of flowering plant called Bradley’s spleenwort (Asplenium bradleyi), adding a botanical touch to the name.

Bradley Overview

Meaning

Broad wood broad meadow

Gender

Boy

Origin

English

Etymology

Originated from the Old English words “brad” (broad) and “leah” (wood or clearing), meaning “broad clearing.”

Pronunciation

/ˈbræd.li/

Popularity

Bradley is frequently used in the USA, UK, and Australia. In 2023, Bradley ranked #291 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

4 (Orderly, Steady, Service-oriented)

Name Styles

Traditional, Classic, Vintage

Associated Traits

Friendly, dependable, down-to-earth

Bradley Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Bradford, Brady, Bradwin, Bradlee

Common Nicknames

Brad, Lee, B, Rad, Braddy

Diminutives

Bradly, Bradie

Famous People

Bradley Cooper
(American Actor)
Bradley Wiggins
(British Cyclist)
Bradley Beal
(American Basketball Player)
Bradley Simpson
(British Singer)
Bradley Walsh
(British TV Host)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Bradley Jackson
("The Morning Show," TV Series)
Bradley Cooper
("Alias," TV Series)
"Bradley"
(Film)
Bradley Martin
("Bates Motel," TV Series)

Places

Bradley Beach
(New Jersey, USA)
Bradley University
(Illinois, USA)
Bradley Stoke
(South Gloucestershire, England)
Bradley Woods
(West Yorkshire, England)
Bradley International Airport
(Connecticut, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Bradley?

Bradley suggests a broad clearing or meadow in the woods. Those with this name often have a grounded and nature-loving personality.

What Is the Origin of The Name Bradley?

Bradley has a history in Old English, evolving from the words “brad” meaning broad and “leah” meaning clearing or meadow. It was originally used as a place name in England.

Bradley Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Bradley in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#3132021	#3452022	#3592023
Top 3 Rankings	#471970	#471979	#491977

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Bradley

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	359 (-14 from 2022)	904 (-46 from 2022)	0.04937
2022	345 (-32 from 2021)	950 (-119 from 2021)	0.05072
2021	313 (-40 from 2020)	1069 (-166 from 2020)	0.05706
2020	273 (-19 from 2019)	1235 (-205 from 2019)	0.06677
2019	254 (-7 from 2018)	1440 (-55 from 2018)	0.07493
2018	247 (-17 from 2017)	1495 (-153 from 2017)	0.07691
2017	230 (-33 from 2016)	1648 (-406 from 2016)	0.08327
2016	197 (-24 from 2015)	2054 (-347 from 2015)	0.10140
2015	173 (+10 from 2014)	2401 (+72 from 2014)	0.11744
2014	183 (-7 from 2013)	2329 No change from 2013	0.11365
2013	176 (-7 from 2012)	2329 (+31 from 2012)	0.11526
2012	169 (+9 from 2011)	2298 (+139 from 2011)	0.11325
2011	178 (+7 from 2010)	2159 (+164 from 2010)	0.10628
2010	185 (+11 from 2009)	1995 (+44 from 2009)	0.09711
2009	196 (+5 from 2008)	1951 (-2 from 2008)	0.09199
2008	201 (-7 from 2007)	1953 (-122 from 2007)	0.08957
2007	194 (-6 from 2006)	2075 (-62 from 2006)	0.09368
2006	188 (-15 from 2005)	2137 (-272 from 2005)	0.09747
2005	173 (+3 from 2004)	2409 (+101 from 2004)	0.11324
2004	176 (-11 from 2003)	2308 (-86 from 2003)	0.10921
2003	165 (-16 from 2002)	2394 (-250 from 2002)	0.11394
2002	149 (-4 from 2001)	2644 (-85 from 2001)	0.12794
2001	145 (-14 from 2000)	2729 (-288 from 2000)	0.13194
2000	131 (-27 from 1999)	3017 (-559 from 1999)	0.14447
1999	104 (-3 from 1998)	3576 (-219 from 1998)	0.17538
1998	101 (-7 from 1997)	3795 (-329 from 1997)	0.18716
1997	94 (-11 from 1996)	4124 (-632 from 1996)	0.20643
1996	83 (-5 from 1995)	4756 (-8 from 1995)	0.23736
1995	78 (+5 from 1994)	4764 (+85 from 1994)	0.23685
1994	83 (-10 from 1993)	4679 (-455 from 1993)	0.22955
1993	73 (-1 from 1992)	5134 (+36 from 1992)	0.24856
1992	72 (-5 from 1991)	5098 (-625 from 1991)	0.24286
1991	67 (-2 from 1990)	5723 (-713 from 1990)	0.26999
1990	65 (-7 from 1989)	6436 (-542 from 1989)	0.29907
1989	58 (-1 from 1988)	6978 (-40 from 1988)	0.33292
1988	57 (-1 from 1987)	7018 (+102 from 1987)	0.35050
1987	56 (-2 from 1986)	6916 (-127 from 1986)	0.35463
1986	54 (-1 from 1985)	7043 (+32 from 1985)	0.36650
1985	53 No change from 1984	7011 (+445 from 1984)	0.36432
1984	53 (-1 from 1983)	6566 (-172 from 1983)	0.34987
1983	52 (-1 from 1982)	6738 (-243 from 1982)	0.36156
1982	51 (-1 from 1981)	6981 (+85 from 1981)	0.36992
1981	50 (+1 from 1980)	6896 (-313 from 1980)	0.37028
1980	51 (-4 from 1979)	7209 (+283 from 1979)	0.38868
1979	47 (+6 from 1978)	6926 (+831 from 1978)	0.38664
1978	53 (-4 from 1977)	6095 (-335 from 1977)	0.35672
1977	49 (+2 from 1976)	6430 (+452 from 1976)	0.37616
1976	51 (+1 from 1975)	5978 (+83 from 1975)	0.36617
1975	52 (+6 from 1974)	5895 (+724 from 1974)	0.36335
1974	58 (+4 from 1973)	5171 (+422 from 1973)	0.31719
1973	62 (-1 from 1972)	4749 (-90 from 1972)	0.29430
1972	61 (-3 from 1971)	4839 (-942 from 1971)	0.28906
1971	58 (-11 from 1970)	5781 (-1039 from 1970)	0.31801
1970	47 (+6 from 1969)	6820 (+430 from 1969)	0.35805
1969	53 (+4 from 1968)	6390 (+1587 from 1968)	0.34934
1968	57 (+9 from 1967)	4803 (+461 from 1967)	0.27052
1967	66 (+2 from 1966)	4342 (-213 from 1966)	0.24401
1966	68 (+4 from 1965)	4555 (-232 from 1965)	0.25060
1965	72 (+5 from 1964)	4787 (-173 from 1964)	0.25267
1964	77 (+5 from 1963)	4960 (+195 from 1963)	0.24469
1963	82 (+5 from 1962)	4765 (+130 from 1962)	0.23079
1962	87 No change from 1961	4635 (-108 from 1961)	0.22054
1961	87 (+3 from 1960)	4743 (+1 from 1960)	0.21989
1960	90 (+13 from 1959)	4742 (+692 from 1959)	0.21899
1959	103 (+5 from 1958)	4050 (+316 from 1958)	0.18694
1958	108 (-1 from 1957)	3734 (+206 from 1957)	0.17328
1957	107 (-4 from 1956)	3528 (+9 from 1956)	0.16118
1956	103 (+4 from 1955)	3519 (+336 from 1955)	0.16396
1955	107 (-1 from 1954)	3183 (-56 from 1954)	0.15228
1954	106 (+12 from 1953)	3239 (+476 from 1953)	0.15654
1953	118 (+23 from 1952)	2763 (+717 from 1952)	0.13800
1952	141 (+4 from 1951)	2046 (+235 from 1951)	0.10368
1951	145 (+7 from 1950)	1811 (+179 from 1950)	0.09473
1950	152 (+22 from 1949)	1632 (+321 from 1949)	0.08973
1949	174 (+18 from 1948)	1311 (+281 from 1948)	0.07275
1948	192 (+29 from 1947)	1030 (+200 from 1947)	0.05778
1947	221 (+49 from 1946)	830 (+269 from 1946)	0.04468
1946	270 (+70 from 1945)	561 (+251 from 1945)	0.03399
1945	340 (+2 from 1944)	310 (+4 from 1944)	0.02260
1944	342 (-3 from 1943)	306 (-23 from 1943)	0.02203
1943	339 (-12 from 1942)	329 (-13 from 1942)	0.02262
1942	327 (+16 from 1941)	342 (+56 from 1941)	0.02428
1941	343 (+36 from 1940)	286 (+59 from 1940)	0.02279
1940	379 (+16 from 1939)	227 (+21 from 1939)	0.01914
1939	395 No change from 1938	206 (-1 from 1938)	0.01818
1938	395 (-19 from 1937)	207 (-9 from 1937)	0.01821
1937	376 (-3 from 1936)	216 (+1 from 1936)	0.01975
1936	373 (-16 from 1935)	215 (-22 from 1935)	0.02020
1935	357 (+80 from 1934)	237 (+71 from 1934)	0.02216
1934	437 (-1 from 1933)	166 (+6 from 1933)	0.01563
1933	436 (+48 from 1932)	160 (+20 from 1932)	0.01568
1932	484 (-40 from 1931)	140 (-21 from 1931)	0.01303
1931	444 (+96 from 1930)	161 (+39 from 1930)	0.01505
1930	540 (+24 from 1929)	122 (+12 from 1929)	0.01080
1929	564 (+24 from 1928)	110 No change from 1928	0.00993
1928	588 (+80 from 1927)	110 (+19 from 1927)	0.00964
1927	668 (+41 from 1926)	91 (+10 from 1926)	0.00783
1926	709 (+21 from 1925)	81 (+2 from 1925)	0.00707
1925	730 (-20 from 1924)	79 (-7 from 1924)	0.00686
1924	710 (+19 from 1923)	86 (+6 from 1923)	0.00736
1923	729 (-27 from 1922)	80 (-6 from 1922)	0.00707
1922	702 (+166 from 1921)	86 (+22 from 1921)	0.00764
1921	868 (-177 from 1920)	64 (-22 from 1920)	0.00562
1920	691 (+227 from 1919)	86 (+33 from 1919)	0.00781
1919	918 (-218 from 1918)	53 (-28 from 1918)	0.00522
1918	700 (+209 from 1917)	81 (+32 from 1917)	0.00772
1917	909 (-194 from 1916)	49 (-21 from 1916)	0.00511
1916	715 (+19 from 1915)	70 (+4 from 1915)	0.00758
1915	734 (+61 from 1914)	66 (+22 from 1914)	0.00749
1914	795 (-84 from 1913)	44 (+2 from 1913)	0.00644
1913	711 (+2 from 1912)	42 (+6 from 1912)	0.00783
1912	713 (-24 from 1911)	36 (+15 from 1911)	0.00797
1911	689 (+40 from 1910)	21 (+4 from 1910)	0.00870
1910	729 (-114 from 1909)	17 (-2 from 1909)	0.00815
1909	615 (-2 from 1908)	19 (+1 from 1908)	0.01074
1908	613 (+86 from 1907)	18 (+4 from 1907)	0.01082
1907	699 (+10 from 1906)	14 (+2 from 1906)	0.00883
1906	709 (+127 from 1905)	12 (+3 from 1905)	0.00833
1905	836 (-249 from 1904)	9 (-6 from 1904)	0.00628
1904	587 (+422 from 1903)	15 (+9 from 1903)	0.01083
1903	1009 (-215 from 1902)	6 (-3 from 1902)	0.00464
1902	794 (-157 from 1901)	9 (-2 from 1901)	0.00678
1901	637 (+12 from 1900)	11 (-4 from 1900)	0.00952
1900	649 (+137 from 1899)	15 (+7 from 1899)	0.00925
1899	786 (-243 from 1898)	8 (-7 from 1898)	0.00694
1898	543 (-48 from 1897)	15 (-1 from 1897)	0.01136
1897	495 (-95 from 1896)	16 (-8 from 1896)	0.01312
1896	400 (-32 from 1895)	24 (-2 from 1895)	0.01859
1895	368 (+362 from 1894)	26 (+17 from 1894)	0.02053
1894	730 (+177 from 1893)	9 (+3 from 1893)	0.00721
1893	907 (+56 from 1891)	6 (+1 from 1891)	0.00496
1892	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1891	963 (-296 from 1890)	5 (-4 from 1890)	0.00458
1890	667 (+254 from 1887)	9 (+4 from 1887)	0.00752
1889	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1888	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1887	921 (-280 from 1885)	5 (-4 from 1885)	0.00457
1886	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1885	641 (+36 from 1883)	9 (+1 from 1883)	0.00776
1884	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1883	677 (+266 from 1882)	8 (+3 from 1882)	0.00711
1882	943 (-380 from 1881)	5 (-5 from 1881)	0.00410
1881	563 (+346 from 1880)	10 (+5 from 1880)	0.00924
1880	909 First SSA data recorded	5 First SSA data recorded	0.00422

American States Popularity Rankings for Bradley

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#3262021

#3862022

#3682023

Illinois (IL)

#4092021

#5482022

#3492023

Ohio (OH)

#3492021

#3082022

#4092023

Texas (TX)

#4172021

#4912022

#4582023

Michigan (MI)

#4372021

#4092022

#3522023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#3352021

#2972022

#2882023

Indiana (IN)

#3542021

#3242022

#3162023

New York (NY)

#3362021

#3582022

#3832023

Minnesota (MN)

#3792021

#3192022

#4732023

Florida (FL)

#1912021

#2522022

#2722023

Wisconsin (WI)

#2852021

#3292022

#4192023

Missouri (MO)

#2832021

#3272022

#3532023

North Carolina (NC)

#3432021

#3452022

#3972023

Iowa (IA)

#3912021

#5262022

#4162023

Kentucky (KY)

#2532021

#2672022

#2752023

Tennessee (TN)

#3282021

#4292022

#3882023

Georgia (GA)

#2412021

#3612022

#3712023

Washington (WA)

#3102021

#3432022

#4432023

Virginia (VA)

#2992021

#3632022

#3492023

Alabama (AL)

#3322021

#2442022

#2932023

Kansas (KS)

#2782021

#4172022

#4712023

Oklahoma (OK)

#3462021

#4322022

#3212023

Louisiana (LA)

#3702021

#2722022

#2892023

Maryland (MD)

#4052021

#3492022

#2942023

Oregon (OR)

#4132021

#2132022

#3962023

Colorado (CO)

#4332021

#4352022

#4922023

Utah (UT)

#2992021

#4012022

#3792023

Nebraska (NE)

#2612019

#4292020

#4412022

South Carolina (SC)

#3082021

#3272022

#3332023

Arkansas (AR)

#3362021

#4282022

#3962023

Arizona (AZ)

#3142021

#3562022

#3982023

New Jersey (NJ)

#2232021

#2632022

#2622023

Massachusetts (MA)

#2722021

#2542022

#2942023

Mississippi (MS)

#2462021

#2962022

#3392023

West Virginia (WV)

#2662021

#2992022

#2642023

North Dakota (ND)

#1742013

#2522016

#2432022

South Dakota (SD)

#1862015

#2152019

#2262020

Idaho (ID)

#1532018

#4002019

#3132020

Connecticut (CT)

#2252021

#3632022

#2522023

Montana (MT)

#2022018

#2252019

#1642023

Maine (ME)

#1972020

#2372021

#1892022

Nevada (NV)

#2962021

#2742022

#3542023

New Hampshire (NH)

#2062020

#2142021

#1682022

New Mexico (NM)

#3382020

#3012021

#2362023

Hawaii (HI)

#1762015

#2302017

#2402022

Vermont (VT)

#1272010

#1292012

#1172017

District of Columbia (DC)

#2212011

#2412013

#2402017

Wyoming (WY)

#822014

#822015

#1162019

Alaska (AK)

#2012017

#1762020

#1872021

Delaware (DE)

#1592017

#2012018

#1742019

Rhode Island (RI)

#2062016

#1752018

#1812021

Popularity Rankings for Bradley in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#562001

#782002

#762003

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#1532021

#2032022

#2312023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#2192019

#2802020

#2632021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#2702020

#3262021

#2642022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#2952020

#3772021

#2792022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#3122021

#2932022

#5162023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#4242019

#4232020

#2962021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#4082013

#3332014

#3172015

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#5102014

#4022015

#6632016

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#4822021

#4722022

#4342023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#6682003

#9722016

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Bradley a Name for Boys or Girls?

Bradley is typically a boy’s name. Historically, it has been more commonly given to males, often carrying a strong and classic connotation.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Bradley

Bradford
Meaning: Descendant of Brádach, spirited, large-chested, broad eyes
Origin: IrishBrady
Bradwin
Bradlee

Brad
Lee
B
Rad
Braddy

Bradly
Bradie

Bradley in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Bradley Cooper (Actor, born 1975): An American actor and filmmaker who starred in "A Star is Born" and "Silver Linings Playbook."
Bradley Wiggins (Cyclist, born 1980): A British professional road and track racing cyclist who won the Tour de France.
Bradley Beal (Basketball Player, born 1993): An American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards in the NBA.
Bradley Simpson (Singer, born 1995): A British singer and guitarist, lead vocalist of the pop-rock band The Vamps.
Bradley Walsh (TV Host, born 1960): A British television presenter, actor, and comedian, well known for hosting game shows.
Bradley Steven Perry (Actor, born 1998): An American actor best known for his role on the Disney Channel series "Good Luck Charlie."
Bradley Nowell (Musician, 1968–1996): An American musician and lead singer of the band Sublime, whose music blended punk, reggae, and ska.

Bradley Jackson ("The Morning Show," 2019 TV Series): A determined and outspoken journalist navigating the complexities of a competitive newsroom.
Bradley Cooper ("Alias," 2001 TV Series): Portrays Will Tippin, a journalist who becomes entangled in espionage activities.
"Bradley" (2013 Film): Chronicles the life and struggles of a young man named Bradley as he seeks redemption.
Bradley Martin ("Bates Motel," 2013 TV Series): A popular high school student who gets involved with the protagonist, Norman Bates.
"Bradley vs. Pacquiao" (2012 Documentary): Follows the intense boxing rivalry between Timothy Bradley and Manny Pacquiao.
Bradley ("My Sister's Keeper," 2004 Novel): A supporting character in the story of a family dealing with a child's serious illness.

Bradley Beach (New Jersey, USA): A borough located on the Jersey Shore, famous for its beautiful beaches and boardwalk.
Bradley University (Illinois, USA): A private university located in Peoria, offering a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Bradley Stoke (South Gloucestershire, England): A town in South Gloucestershire, near the city of Bristol, known for its residential areas and local amenities.
Bradley Woods (West Yorkshire, England): A woodland area located near the town of Brighouse, popular for hiking and nature walks.
Bradley International Airport (Connecticut, USA): A public airport in Windsor Locks, serving the Hartford metropolitan area and the state of Connecticut.
Bradley Mountain (Connecticut, USA): A small mountain located in the town of Southington, part of the Metacomet Ridge.

Meaning: Heather field/meadow
Origin: EnglishHadley
Cadeley
Meaning: Western meadow
Origin: EnglishWesley
Ridley

Linden
Heath
Meaning: Leek town, meadow town
Origin: EnglishLeighton
Fielding
Westley

Sibling Names for Bradley

For a Brother
For a Sister

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With a name like Bradley, there’s always more to discover. Eager to learn more? Let’s talk again next time!

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Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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Bradley Name Meaning