How to say it
HAR · ley
ˈhɑːr.li
Unisex
Harley
Hare's meadow
What it means
An English place name, 'hare wood or clearing,' from hara ('hare') plus leah ('meadow').
Harley is an English locational surname, a 'meadow where hares run,' from hara and leah. As a first name it carries an unmistakable rumble of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and a recent jolt from the Batman antiheroine Harley Quinn. It runs genuinely unisex, edgy and modern, with the spellings Harlee and Harleigh on the girls' side.
How to spell Harley
The standard spelling is Harley. Common variants include Harlee, Harleigh, Harly, but Harley is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
Feminine: peaked at #202 in 2017, currently #418 in 2025.
Masculine: peaked at #164 in 1887, currently #1083 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
- Worth knowing
Unisex; the Harley-Davidson rumble and Harley Quinn are the touchstones.
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.
- Harley Quinn the DC antiheroine, born Dr. Harleen Quinzel
Spelling variants
- Harlee
- Harleigh
- Harly
Names with the same feeling
See Harley from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Harley mean?
- An English place name, 'hare wood or clearing,' from hara ('hare') plus leah ('meadow').
- What does Harley mean in English?
- In English, Harley means "Hare's meadow." Harley is an English locational surname, a 'meadow where hares run,' from hara and leah. As a first name it carries an unmistakable rumble of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and a recent jolt from the Batman antiheroine Harley Quinn. It runs genuinely unisex, edgy and modern, with the spellings Harlee and Harleigh on the girls' side.
- How do you pronounce Harley?
- Harley is pronounced ˈhɑːr.li. Say it as HAR-ley, with the stress on the "har" syllable.
- How do you spell Harley?
- The standard spelling is Harley. Common spelling variants include Harlee, Harleigh, Harly.
- Is Harley a boy or girl name?
- Harley is used for both boys and girls.
- How popular is the name Harley?
- Harley ranked #418 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.