Harvey

Pronunciation: [ h-AHRV-ee ]

Boy Name #244 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A Breton warrior name making a stylish comeback

English British Irish American

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Meaning & Origin

"battle worthy"

Origin: Old Breton

Language: English

"blazing iron"

Origin: Breton

Language: French

Things to Know About This Name

Associated with Harvey Weinstein since 2017 — the Me Too movement has complicated this name for some parents

The Story of Harvey

Harvey comes from the Old Breton name 'Haerveu' or 'Aeruiu,' meaning 'battle worthy' or 'blazing iron.' It was brought to England by the Normans after the 1066 conquest and remained popular throughout the medieval period. The name fell out of fashion in the mid-20th century but has staged a spectacular comeback in the UK and Australia, where it regularly ranks among the top 20 boys' names, driven by nostalgia for Victorian-era names with substance.

Harvey experienced a sharp revival in the UK starting around 2010, fueled by cultural nostalgia for sturdy, old-fashioned names. It entered the UK top 10 around 2018. In the US, its revival has been slower due to high-profile negative associations from 2017, though it remains beloved for parents who favor vintage British names.

Harvey has strong working-class British roots associated with the industrial age. In the US, it was popular in the early 20th century and is immortalized in the classic 1950 film Harvey, starring Jimmy Stewart, where Harvey is the name of a six-foot invisible rabbit — a beloved cultural touchstone.

Fun Facts

Harvey is currently a top-10 boys' name in England and Wales
The French form Herve is still widely used in France and Brittany today
The 1950 film Harvey features an imaginary six-foot rabbit named Harvey, beloved by Jimmy Stewart's character

Harvey in Other Languages

Breton Haerviu

French Herve

German Harvey

English Harvey

Famous People Named Harvey

Harvey Keitel

Actor

1939

Acclaimed American actor known for Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, and The Piano

Harvey Dent / Two-Face Fictional

Other

Gotham City's district attorney turned coin-flipping villain in DC Comics' Batman universe

Harvey Specter Fictional

Other

Brilliant Manhattan attorney and self-described best closer in New York City in the TV series Suits

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #244
Total SSA Count: 1,441
Cultural Origins: English British Irish American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Harvin #4314

Common Nicknames

Harv

Pairs Well With

Harvey James Harvey William Harvey Thomas Harvey George Harvey Edward Harvey Jack

Sibling Names

Archie Walter Edmund Violet Nora Stella

Also a Girl Name

Harvey is also used as a girl name, ranked #5052.

View Harvey as a girl name →

Similar Names

Henry Charlie Charley Harrison Hardy Raleigh Larry Harlan

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Harvey

What does the name Harvey mean?

"battle worthy" (from Old Breton). "blazing iron" (from Breton). Harvey comes from the Old Breton name 'Haerveu' or 'Aeruiu,' meaning 'battle worthy' or 'blazing iron.' It was brought to England by the Normans after the 1066 conquest and remained popular throughout the medieval period. The name fell out of fashion in the mid-20th century but has staged a spectacular comeback in the UK and Australia, where it regularly ranks among the top 20 boys' names, driven by nostalgia for Victorian-era names with substance.

What is the origin of the name Harvey?

Harvey has Old Breton, Breton, English, British, Irish, and American origins. In Old Breton, it means "battle worthy". In Breton, it means "blazing iron".

Is Harvey a boy or girl name?

Harvey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #244. As a girl name, it is ranked #5052. Harvey is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Harvey?

Harvey is pronounced h-AHRV-ee.

How popular is the name Harvey?

Harvey is currently ranked #244 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Harvey?

Common nicknames for Harvey include Harv.

What are good middle names for Harvey?

Popular middle name pairings include Harvey James, Harvey William, Harvey Thomas, Harvey George, Harvey Edward, and Harvey Jack.

What are good sibling names for Harvey?

Names that pair well with Harvey as siblings include Archie, Walter, Edmund, Violet, Nora, and Stella.

How many syllables does Harvey have?

Harvey has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Harvey a common or rare name?

Harvey is a popular name, ranked #244 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Harvey

Harvey is a boy name with English, British, Irish, and American origins . The name means "battle worthy" in Old Breton .

Is Harvey a boy or girl name? Harvey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #244 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,052. Harvey is more commonly used as a boy name.

Harvey is currently ranked #244 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Harvey has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-AHRV-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Harvey include Harv. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Harvey include Harvin . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.