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Home › Baby Names Directory › Barkley

Barkley

♂ Boy

Pronounced BARK-lee /ˈbɑːrk.li/High

Meaning: From the English surname Barkley/Berkeley, 'birch-tree meadow' (Old English beorc, 'birch,' + leah, 'meadow; clearing'). Well known via basketball's Charles Barkley. A surname name.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp surname name: Barkley means 'birch-tree meadow' (said 'BARK-lee'). Sporty and modern.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname Barkley/Berkeley, 'birch-tree meadow' (Old English beorc, 'birch,' + leah, 'meadow; clearing'). Well known via basketball's Charles Barkley. A surname name.
U.S. rank (2021)#10942 ↘ Falling
2021 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1994
Total births (all-time)≈ 312

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199419202021

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Barkley is an English surname, 'birch-tree meadow' (beorc, 'birch,' + leah, 'meadow'), carried into first-name use and well known via Charles Barkley. It reads modern and sporty — rare in the U.S. (said 'BARK-lee').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely as a first name. Rare, surname-style, and crisp.

Did you know? Barkley comes from the English surname Berkeley/Barkley, 'birch-tree meadow' — familiar today from basketball great Charles Barkley — a crisp, sporty surname pick (said 'BARK-lee').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Barkley — English surname Berkeley/Barkley; 'birch-tree meadow'

Variations

BerkeleyBarclayBarklee

Nicknames

BarkLee

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Barkley…

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Barkley mean?

Barkley is an English surname meaning 'birch-tree meadow'; it's well known via Charles Barkley.

How do you pronounce Barkley?

It's said BARK-lee /ˈbɑːrk.li/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Barkley a boy or girl name?

Barkley is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Barkley?

Barkley is rare in the U.S.

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