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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Broad meadow or woodland clearing
- Origin
- Old English (place name transferred to surname)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- BRAD-lee
Bradley started out as an Old English place name — a broad meadow or woodland clearing — before it settled into use as a surname and later a first name. Pronounced BRAD-lee, it carries the plain, grounded feel of a name with a literal, land-based origin rather than an invented or symbolic one. It's a timeless, classic choice, the kind of name that reads as classic rather than tied to a particular moment.
Meaning & Origin of Bradley
Meaning: Broad meadow or woodland clearing.
Origin: Old English (place name transferred to surname).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Bradley
BRAD-leeIPA /ˈbrædli/
Popularity of Bradley
Bradley peaked in 1970, when 6,819 boys were given the name and it ranked #47 nationally. By 2024 it had dropped to #364, with 906 boys given the name that year — still in use, just well off its high point.
Names Like Bradley
These names share Bradley’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Bradley mean?
Broad meadow or woodland clearing. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Bradley?
Bradley is pronounced BRAD-lee (IPA: /ˈbrædli/).
Is Bradley a popular name right now?
Bradley peaked at #47 in 1970 and is ranked #364 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Bradley Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Bradley, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Bradley? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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