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Harvey

♂ Boy

Pronounced HAR-vee /ˈhɑːrvi/High

Meaning: Battle worthy; eager for battleHigh

In 30 seconds: A robust Breton-Norman name meaning 'battle worthy.' Harvey is the irresistible grandpa name with street cred — slightly old-school, enormously charming, and riding a wave of vintage revival on both sides of the Atlantic.
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Origin HighBreton, French
MeaningBattle worthy; eager for battle
U.S. rank (2025)#251 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births1,381 boys (0.08% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 127,910

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Harvey is the anglicisation of the Breton name Haerviu (or Aeruiu), composed of the elements haer (battle) and viu (worthy, strong). The Normans brought the name to England after 1066. Saint Hervé (Harvey) of Brittany (6th century) was a beloved blind monk whose cult helped spread the name throughout Brittany and Norman territories.

Harvey was a common English given name in the medieval period, then fell from wide use, before reviving robustly in the 21st century. It is especially popular in the United Kingdom, where it entered the top 20 boys' names, and has been climbing in the United States as part of the vintage-name trend.

Did you know? Saint Harvey (Saint Hervé) is one of the most beloved saints of Brittany, France — a blind hermit monk renowned for travelling with a wolf that served as his guide, one of the most endearing saint legends in Celtic Christianity.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Harvey — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

HervéHarvy

Nicknames

Harv

Famous Bearers

  • ★Saint Hervé (Harvey) (6th century CE)
    Beloved blind hermit and patron saint of Brittany, known in legend for his wolf guide.

If you like Harvey…

Walter— vintage English name in the same broadly reviving mid-century register
Warren— fellow old-fashioned English name staging the same confident comeback
Barney— warm, slightly quirky vintage name with the same grandpa-cool energy
Archie— British nickname-name in the same beloved vintage revival category

Frequently Asked

What does the name Harvey mean?

Harvey is a Breton name meaning 'battle worthy' or 'eager for battle,' from the elements haer (battle) and viu (worthy).

How do you pronounce Harvey?

It is said HAR-vee /ˈhɑːrvi/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Harvey a boy or girl name?

Harvey is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Harvey?

Harvey entered the U.K. top 20 for boys and has been rising strongly in the U.S. top 300.