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Barkley

OriginEnglish and Scottish
Meaning"where birches grow"
GenderBoy & girl
US rank · boys#10859

2025 SSA

US rank · girlsUnranked

Below 5 births

About Barkley

Barkley is a masculine name of English origin, originally a surname derived from the Old English 'beorc' meaning 'birch tree' and 'leah' meaning 'woodland clearing' or 'meadow.' As a first name, Barkley has maintained modest usage, experiencing small peaks of popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, possibly influenced by basketball star Charles Barkley. The name carries strong nature associations and a certain preppy, distinguished quality. It balances being recognizable without being common, appealing to parents looking for names with English heritage and woodland connections. Barkley also carries a friendly, approachable sound while maintaining a traditional surname-as-first-name style.

Barkley is also given to girls.

Pronounced BARK-lee.

As of October 2026, Barkley ranked #10859 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #2061 in 1951.

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Barkley on lists

Famous Barkleys

  • Barkley L. HendricksBoy

    American painter

  • Barkley Stuart ThompsonBoy

    American Episcopal church dean

  • Charles BarkleyBoy

    American basketball player

  • Alben W. BarkleyBoy

    35th Vice President of the United States

  • Ross BarkleyBoy

    English professional footballer

Barkley in pop culture

  • BarkleyBoy

    character on TV's "Sex and the City"

  • BarkleyBoy

    Muppet dog on TV's "Sesame Street"

  • BarkleyBoy

    a mini Skylander from the video game "Skylanders Trap Team"

  • BarkleyBoy

    character in Caroline Bock's "Before my Eyes"

  • Catherine BarkleyBoy

    character in Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms"

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