Find out how popular the first name Harleigh has been for the last 35 years (from 1989 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Harleigh by gender

Based on the last 35 years of data, Harleigh is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Harleigh being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 182 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Harleigh.

The history of the first name Harleigh

The given name Harleigh is a relatively modern name with no definitive origins. It is an anglicized form of the Germanic name Harley, which is believed to be derived from the Old English words "hare" meaning "hare" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing." The combination of these two words suggests a possible meaning of "hare's meadow" or "hare's clearing."

While the name Harley has been used for centuries, primarily as a surname, the variant spelling Harleigh is a more recent development. It is believed to have emerged in the late 20th century as a feminine form of Harley, reflecting a trend of creating gender-specific variations of traditionally masculine names.

There are no known historical references or recorded examples of individuals bearing the name Harleigh prior to the modern era. However, the name Harley has been documented throughout history, with some notable individuals including:

1. Harley Granville-Barker (1877-1946), an English actor, playwright, and theatre director.
2. Harley Earl (1893-1969), an American automotive designer and engineer, known for his work with General Motors and the creation of the iconic Corvette.
3. Harley Race (1943-2019), an American professional wrestler and promoter, considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
4. Harley J. Cokeliss (1915-1993), an American aerospace engineer and inventor, known for his contributions to rocket and spacecraft design.
5. Harley Hotchkiss (1927-2011), an American businessman and philanthropist, co-founder of the investment firm Hotchkis and Associates.

While the name Harleigh may be relatively new, its connection to the more established name Harley and its potential origins in Old English give it a sense of historical depth. However, due to its recent emergence, there is limited information available on its specific etymology and cultural significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Harleigh was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Harleigh, please contact us.

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