How to say it
BRAD · ley
ˈbræd.li
Masculine
Bradley
Broad meadow
What it means
An English place name, 'broad wood or clearing,' from brad ('broad') plus leah ('meadow').
Bradley is an English place and surname name, a 'broad meadow' or 'wide clearing,' from Old English. It moved into first-name use and peaked in the late 20th century, behind General Omar Bradley and, more recently, actor Bradley Cooper. It reads solid and friendly, with the everyday short Brad. Steady rather than flashy.
How to spell Bradley
The standard spelling is Bradley. Common variants include Bradly, Bradlee, but Bradley is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #47 in 1970, currently #403 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Brad is the standard short.
- Spelling
A 'broad meadow' place name.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Bradley Cooper American actor and filmmaker
Spelling variants
- Bradly
- Bradlee
Names with the same feeling
See Bradley from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Bradley mean?
- An English place name, 'broad wood or clearing,' from brad ('broad') plus leah ('meadow').
- What does Bradley mean in English?
- In English, Bradley means "Broad meadow." Bradley is an English place and surname name, a 'broad meadow' or 'wide clearing,' from Old English. It moved into first-name use and peaked in the late 20th century, behind General Omar Bradley and, more recently, actor Bradley Cooper. It reads solid and friendly, with the everyday short Brad. Steady rather than flashy.
- How do you pronounce Bradley?
- Bradley is pronounced ˈbræd.li. Say it as BRAD-ley, with the stress on the "brad" syllable.
- How do you spell Bradley?
- The standard spelling is Bradley. Common spelling variants include Bradly, Bradlee.
- Is Bradley a boy or girl name?
- Bradley is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Bradley?
- Bradley ranked #403 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.