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Home › Baby Names Directory › Berkley

Berkley

♂ Boy

Pronounced BERK-lee /ˈbɜrk.li/High

Meaning: Birch-tree clearing or meadow; a spelling of Berkeley, from Old English beorc, 'birch', plus leahHigh

In 30 seconds: A birch grove with a diploma: Berkley is the middle spelling of Berkeley — 'birch meadow' — campus-cool for a son without the full university paperwork.
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Origin HighEnglish
MeaningBirch-tree clearing or meadow; a spelling of Berkeley, from Old English beorc, 'birch', plus leah
U.S. rank (2025)#3453 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births33 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2013
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,202

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202018912025

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

Berkley spells Berkeley — Old English beorc plus leah, 'birch clearing' — the name of the Gloucestershire castle where Edward II met his end, the philosopher-bishop, and the California city of free speech and Nobel laureates. The streamlined -ley form serves several American towns (Berkley, Michigan among them).

As a boy's first name it is rare and collegiate; girls' use of Berklee and Berkley runs parallel. The nickname Berk keeps it gruffly approachable.

Did you know? Berkeley, California is named for philosopher Bishop George Berkeley, whose line 'Westward the course of empire takes its way' inspired the town's founders.
Overall data confidence 88%
Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names — Berkeley — etymology

Variations

BerkeleyBerkleeBarclay

Nicknames

Berk

Famous Bearers

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If you like Berkley…

Bentley— a fellow polished English -ley surname
Brooks— shares the prep-school surname register
Kingsley— another scholarly -ley pick for sons
Bailey— another English name
Brentley— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Berkley

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Berkley mean?

Berkley is a spelling of Berkeley, Old English for 'birch-tree clearing or meadow'.

How do you pronounce Berkley?

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

Is Berkley a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Berkley?

Berkley is a rare name for boys in the U.S.

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