Harley
Meaning of Harley
Harley is the kind of name that rolls off the tongue with a friendly rumble—simply “HAR-lee”—and it has the roots to match its road-worthy charm. Born from Old English words for “hare” and “meadow,” Harley first painted pictures of soft green fields where quick-footed rabbits darted through the grass. Fast-forward a few centuries and the name has traded hay for horsepower, thanks to the iconic Harley-Davidson and pop culture firecracker Harley Quinn, giving it just the right dash of rebel sparkle. Because it started life as a surname, Harley never pledged allegiance to one gender, which is why it now feels equally at home on daughters and sons alike—strong, approachable, and refreshingly un-fussy. American parents have quietly revved up their affection for it, guiding Harley from the outer lanes of the Top 700 back in the ’80s to a steady cruise in the mid-300s today. In short, Harley blends countryside calm with urban swagger, perfect for a child you hope will chase rabbits one minute and chase horizons the next.
Pronunciation
British English
- Pronunced as HAH-lee (/'hɑː.li/)
American English
- Pronunced as HAR-lee (/'hɑr.li/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Harley
| Harley Leland Race was an American professional wrestler, promoter, and trainer. |
| Harley Earl was an American automotive design pioneer at General Motors and the first corporate design vice president, introducing freeform sketching, clay modeling, and the concept car. |
| Harley Quinn Smith is an American actress and musician known for Tusk, Yoga Hosers, and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, and as bassist and singer in the punk band The Tenth. |
| Harley Davidson was an early 20th century American athlete best known for roller speed skating who also competed in ice speed skating and cycling. |
