Berkeley Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Berkeley originates from Old English, meaning 'birch meadow'. It has evolved through historical forms and is associated with traits of education and progressivism. There is no biblical relevance connected to the name.
The name Berkeley is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Berkeley has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Berkeley' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3034th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2877th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3212th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4752nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6951st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6139th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6045th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 13742nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7487th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3522nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2027th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Berkeley' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Berkeley"
Pronunciation
/ˈbɜrkli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Berkeley is derived from the Old English elements 'beorc' meaning 'birch' and 'leah' meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow'.
Meaning
birch meadow
Language Evolution
Berclea, Berkley, Berkeley
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 17th century, particularly in England, and has since been used in various places and institutions.
Variants & Derivatives
Berkley, Berk, Berkley
Modern Popularity & Image
Berkeley is often associated with education and progressive values, especially due to the presence of the University of California, Berkeley, which contributes to its modern image.
Famous People
George Berkeley, Bishop Berkeley, William Berkeley
Explore More Berkeley Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Berkeley"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Berkeley"
"Berkeley" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3034th of 7545 | 119 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2877th of 6773 | 127 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3212th of 7552 | 126 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4752nd of 10718 | 75 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6951st of 16616 | 79 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6139th of 24088 | 192 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6045th of 23106 | 172 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 13742nd of 19264 | 18 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7487th of 27321 | 154 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3522nd of 35406 | 673 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2027th of 30306 | 1,152 |
Regional Popularity of "Berkeley" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
90.19% 2134th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
75.38% 4731st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Berkeley" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
91.86% 4771st/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
85.27% 3907th/4582 |
- |
39.25% 2870th/7313 |
57.11% 4262nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
63.81% 2542nd/3984 |
100.00% 4487th/4487 |
28.32% 1932nd/6822 |
33.22% 2085th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Berkeley"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Berkeley" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.