Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Harley

Harley is the transferred use of an English surname originating from villages located in the counties of Shropshire and Yorkshire so called Harley. The name could either be derived from the Olde English word “hoer” (meaning ‘rocks’) or “hara” (meaning ‘hare’) and “lēah” (a clearing or farm). From this perspective, the place name translates to “Hare’s Farm” or “farm by the rocks”. The name “de Harelea” was first recorded in 1166 making it one of the older surnames in English history. Over the centuries, the surname Harley came in many forms (de Harelea, Hearley, Aireley Airlie, and Harley) due to the high level of illiteracy in medieval times and the multitude of dialects producing different sounds. Surnames that were derived from place names were used as an identifier for people who moved from one village to the next. So a man who moved to a new village would be called “Harley” to signify the village from which he came. The name Harley is most notably connected to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, an American manufacturer of motorcycles (NY stock exchange symbol HOG) founded in 1903. The brand loyalty, enthusiasm and element of danger surrounding Harley motorcycles lend this name added mystique and charisma. Today, the name Harley for boys is a high ranking name in England. In the United States, Harley is more popular for little girls, although it is squarely unisex and used on both genders.

All About the Baby Name – Harley

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME HARLEY

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME HARLEY

Harley is now more popular for little girls than for boys. For boy’s, this name has had a much longer career in America. For girls, the name only first appeared on the charts in 1991. By 1994, Harley became more heavily used on baby girls than boys. That was a fast takeover, no doubt spurred on by the popularity of Harley Cooper, a fictional character on the soap opera The Guiding Light first introduced in 1987. Then again, American parents of daughters are famous for hijacking masculine names they think fit nicely on their girls in an androgynous sort of way. It’s a disappointing trend for the parents of boys – girls have stolen so many of these types of surnames that they eventually become unattractive for parents of boys (overly feminized by their sheer usage). Harley has declined some on the female naming charts since the turn of the 21st century (although it’s the same story on the male charts). Despite the horsepower behind this name, Harley still manages to sound “cutesy” for little girls. Not sure how well it evolves to adulthood, though. Steer clear of Harlot Harley.

Quick Facts

ON HARLEY

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

360

PRONUNCIATION:

HAHR-lee

SIMPLE MEANING:

Hare's farm; Farm by the rocks

Characteristics

OF HARLEY

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Harley

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME HARLEY

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Harley

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME HARLEY

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Harley


Popular Songs

ON HARLEY

Harley
a song by The Jacksons

Haley's Got A Harley
a song by 38 Special

Electric Harley House (Of Love)
a song by Green Jelly

Famous People

NAMED HARLEY

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Harley.
We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Harley.
We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Harley.

Children of Famous People

NAMED HARLEY

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Harley

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME HARLEY

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Harley