Bradley
/ˈbɹæd.li/
Bradley derives from the English surname Bradley, which originated as a place name from Old English brad (“broad”) and leah (“clearing” or “meadow”).
The surname was common in medieval England and made the transfer to first-name use in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The name is strongly associated with American military and political history through General Omar Bradley (1893–1981), the senior American field commander in Western Europe during World War II.
What the name Bradley means
Bradley ranked No. 364 in 2024 with 906 births. It peaked at No. 47 in 1970 with 6,819 births, placing it in the mid-century American naming landscape alongside Terry, Gary, and Larry.
Actor Bradley Cooper (1975–) is the most prominent current bearer, sustaining the name’s visibility across film, television, and the Oscars broadcast. His career has likely slowed the name’s decline.
Three syllables — BRAD-lee — are dependable and clear. The -lee ending was a hallmark of mid-20th-century American boy names, giving it a distinctly period feel.
Parents who want a classic American name with military-heritage associations and a current Hollywood bearer often find Bradley a solid if slightly dated choice.
Related mid-century American surname names include Gary, Barry, Terry, and Darcy. The -ley ending name group also includes Wesley, Stanley, and Bentley.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Bradley
Bradley - similar names
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