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    The first name Bradley

    A boy’s name from English meaning “broad”, “woodland”.

    Pronounced /ˈbɹædli/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    English origin

    Bradley means “broad”, “woodland” in English.

    Ultimately from Old English brād (“broad”) + lēah (“woodland”). Equivalent to broad + -ley.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 119 boys were named Bradley, making it the 352nd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1997, with 2,745 births (#28).

    01,5003,000 1996200020052010201520202025
    30,349
    babies named Bradley, 1996–2025
    #352
    rank in 2025
    1997
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Bradley with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Bradley at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 794 boys born in the United States were named Bradley, the 403rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1980, when 7,210 were.

    04,0008,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    314,957
    babies named Bradley since 1880
    #403
    rank in 2025
    1980
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Nicknames for Bradley

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Bradley

    78 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Bradley Cooper
      American actor and filmmaker (born 1975)
    • Bradley Barcola
      French footballer (born 2002)
    • Bradley Wiggins
      British former professional road and track racing cyclist, born 1980
    • Dee Bradley Baker
      American voice actor (born 1962)
    • Bradley Whitford
      American actor (born 1959)
    • Bradley James
      British actor, born 1983
    • Bradley Steven Perry
      American actor (born 1998)
    • Bradley Beal
      American basketball player (born 1993)
    • Bradley McGee
      Australian cyclist, born 1976
    • Bradley Joseph
      American composer, pianist, keyboardist, arranger, producer, recording artist, born 1965
    • Bradley Johnson
      English association football player (born 1987)
    • Bradley Wright-Phillips
      English footballer (born 1985)

    More English boys’ names

    All 216 names of English origin

    Questions

    What does the name Bradley mean?
    Bradley means “broad”, “woodland” in English.
    What is the origin of the name Bradley?
    Ultimately from Old English brād (“broad”) + lēah (“woodland”). Equivalent to broad + -ley.
    How popular is the name Bradley?
    In 2025, 119 boys born in England and Wales were named Bradley, ranking 352nd. Its peak was 1997, with 2,745 births.
    What are nicknames for Bradley?
    Common nicknames for Bradley include Brad.
    Is Bradley a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 314,957 US babies named Bradley since 1880 were boys.
    When was Bradley most popular?
    1980 in the United States, when 7,210 babies were named Bradley, its highest rank at 51st.
    How do you pronounce Bradley?
    Bradley is /ˈbɹædli/, 2 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Bradley?
    Bradly, Bradeley, Bradlee, Bradleigh, Bradlie and Broadley.
    Is Bradley also a surname?
    Yes. Bradley is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.