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Home › Baby Names Directory › Berkeley

Berkeley

♂ Boy

Pronounced BARK-lee /ˈbɑrk.li/Medium

Meaning: From the Old English beorc ('a birch tree') + leah ('a meadow/clearing'), hence 'from the birch-tree meadow'; a place-name and surname; used for both sexesLow

In 30 seconds: From the birch-tree meadow: Berkeley is English. Crisp, classic, and warm. Used for both sexes (said 'BARK-lee').
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the Old English beorc ('a birch tree') + leah ('a meadow/clearing'), hence 'from the birch-tree meadow'; a place-name and surname; used for both sexes
U.S. rank (2024)#10006 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2011
Total births (all-time)≈ 890

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201319132024

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

Berkeley comes from the Old English beorc ('a birch tree') + leah ('a meadow/clearing'), hence 'from the birch-tree meadow'; a place-name and surname; used for both sexes. A crisp, classic name (here for a boy; slug distinguished; said 'BARK-lee').

In the U.S. it appears as a surname/place-name (also the California city, pronounced 'BURK-lee'). Rare, from-the-birch-meadow at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Berkeley is 'from the birch-tree meadow' in Old English (beorc + leah) — a crisp, surname-name, used for both sexes (note the British 'BARK-lee'; said 'BARK-lee').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — Berkeley — English place-name; unisex

Variations

BerkleyBarclayBerkely

Nicknames

Berk

Famous Bearers

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If you like Berkeley…

Berkley— a kin spelling
Beckett— a fellow surname-name boys' name
Huxley— a companion -ley surname-name
Brentley— a similarly popular pick
Bexley— shares the -ey ending

Explore names like Berkeley

By themeenglishunisexsurname-nameplace-name
By meaningEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Berkeley mean?

Berkeley is Old English for 'from the birch-tree meadow' (beorc + leah); a place-name and surname; used for both sexes; here for a boy.

How do you pronounce Berkeley?

It's said BARK-lee /ˈbɑrk.li/ (British) — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Berkeley a boy or girl name?

Berkeley is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Berkeley?

Berkeley is a very rare name in the U.S.

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