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Bradley

♀ Girl

Pronounced BRAD-lee /ˈbrædliː/High

Meaning: Broad meadow or wide wood clearing; from Old English brad (broad) and leah (clearing, meadow)High

In 30 seconds: A classic Old English surname meaning 'broad meadow,' Bradley has crossed the gender divide to become a quietly stylish choice for girls. Strong yet accessible, it suits parents who love confident surname names.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningBroad meadow or wide wood clearing; from Old English brad (broad) and leah (clearing, meadow)
U.S. rank (2024)#3078 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births52 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,913

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219202024

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

History & Origin

Bradley originates from an Old English place name formed from brad (broad, wide) and leah (wood clearing, meadow). It became a hereditary English surname for families from places called Bradley, of which there are many across England. As a given name, Bradley entered widespread use in the United States and United Kingdom during the 20th century, particularly for boys.

In recent years Bradley has appeared with growing frequency among girls, joining a wave of traditionally male surname names — like Parker, Riley, and Quinn — that have become popular for daughters. For girls, Bradley retains an air of strength and originality while its -ley ending softens it into the feminine name mainstream.

Did you know? Bradley was a steadfast top-100 boys' name in the U.S. for much of the 20th century before parents began embracing it for girls as part of the surname-name trend.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Bradley — Old English etymology and surname historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data context

Variations

BradleeBradleighBrad

Nicknames

BradLeeBrads

Famous Bearers

  • ★Omar Nelson Bradley (1893–1981)
    American General of the Army who commanded U.S. forces in the WWII Normandy campaign and became the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

If you like Bradley…

Brinley— Old English -ley meadow name similarly crossing to girls
Hadley— shared Anglo-Saxon meadow etymology and similar sound
Hartley— surname-to-given name with the same two-syllable, -ley pattern
Riley— classic surname name fully embraced for girls with the same confident energy

Frequently Asked

What does the name Bradley mean?

Bradley means 'broad meadow' or 'wide wood clearing,' from the Old English brad (broad) and leah (clearing).

How do you pronounce Bradley?

Bradley is pronounced BRAD-lee /ˈbrædliː/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Bradley a boy or girl name?

Bradley has traditionally been a boys' name but is increasingly used for girls as part of the surname-name trend.

How popular is Bradley?

Bradley was a top-100 boys' name in the U.S. for decades; its use for girls is growing but remains far less common.