Berkley
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Berkley
Berkeley, with an extra E, is the more familiar variation of this name, associated with the California school. But it's the streamlined Berkley that has proven itself to be more popular as a baby name, at least in the US.
Berkley for girls#888 US
This name is pronounced BARK-lee in the UK, while in the US we say BIRK-lee.
Berkley for boys#3453 US
Berkley is a masculine name derived from an English surname and place name, originally meaning 'birch tree meadow' or 'birch clearing' in Old English. This nature-inspired name carries associations with the outdoors, woodland settings, and English heritage. While traditionally used for boys, Berkley has occasionally crossed over as a feminine name in recent years, following the trend of surname-as-first-name. The name has gained some modest popularity as parents seek distinctive alternatives to more common choices like Berkeley or Bradley. Its connection to the prestigious University of California, Berkeley, may appeal to academically-minded parents. Berkley projects a sophisticated, preppy image while maintaining strong ties to the natural world through its etymological roots in the landscape of medieval England.
Pronounced BERK-lee.
As of October 2026, Berkley ranked #888 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #798 in 2021.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #1,074 | 238 | #3,096 | 36 |
| 2015 | #1,079 | 243 | #2,608 | 47 |
| 2016 | #1,111 | 229 | #2,665 | 46 |
| 2017 | #1,167 | 211 | #2,760 | 44 |
| 2018 | #946 | 281 | #3,057 | 38 |
| 2019 | #989 | 261 | #2,813 | 44 |
| 2020 | #821 | 331 | #2,551 | 50 |
| 2021 | #798 | 354 | #3,306 | 35 |
| 2022 | #822 | 340 | #3,624 | 31 |
| 2023 | #837 | 327 | #3,298 | 36 |
| 2024 | #879 | 306 | #3,327 | 35 |
| 2025 | #888 | 301 | #3,453 | 33 |
World rankings
Berkley for girls
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