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NamyLab

Bradley

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Broad Clearing"

Bradley originated as an English place-based surname meaning a broad clearing or meadow, later adopted as a given name.

Themes:toponymenglishmeadowmodern

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of ThreeParenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Bradley

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#364Top 500

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#364

Bradley was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-5

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Bradley Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Bradley.

12 ideas
Brad
Nickname
Brady
Nickname
bray
Nickname
brad
Nickname
bro
Nickname
brie
Nickname
dley
Nickname
leyy
Nickname
adly
Nickname
br
Nickname
bbie
Nickname
bro
Nickname

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Bradley mean?
Bradley means "Broad Clearing". Bradley originated as an English place-based surname meaning a broad clearing or meadow, later adopted as a given name.
What is the origin of Bradley?
Bradley is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Bradley?
According to the latest SSA data, Bradley is currently ranked #364 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Bradley a boy name?
Bradley is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Bradley?
Popular nicknames for Bradley include Brad, Brady, bray, brad, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Bradley?
There are many names similar to Bradley in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish
Syllables2
Length7 letters
US Rank#364
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withB

Explore More Boy Names Like Bradley

Bradley has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Bradley appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Earth-Inspired Nature Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Traditional English Names and Popular Boy Names in CANADA.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Bradley pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Bradley beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.