Boy · 120th of 23,106
Bentley
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
61,724
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2012
Peak Popularity Year
6,143
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Bentley stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Bentley has its origins in Old English, meaning 'bent grass clearing'. It evolved through different historical forms before becoming a popular name. It is associated with traits of sophistication and elegance, and it does not have biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈbɛntli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Bentley is derived from the Old English words 'beonet', meaning 'bent grass', and 'leah', meaning 'woodland' or 'clearing'. It originally referred to someone who lived by a clearing where bent grass grew.
Meaning
bent grass clearing
Language Evolution
Beonetleah, Bentleah, Bentley
Historical Usage
Bentley gained popularity as a surname in England in the medieval period and later became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Bent, Benny, Ben
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary times, Bentley is perceived as a stylish and sophisticated name, often associated with luxury due to the luxury car brand.
Famous People
Bentley Kalu, Bentley Little, Bentley Smith
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,143 peak births in 2012
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 8 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2308th of 7545 | 201 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2180th of 6773 | 214 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1502nd of 7552 | 516 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2015th of 10718 | 344 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2419th of 16616 | 421 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 301st of 24088 | 16,962 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 120th of 23106 | 39,672 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 9268th of 27321 | 109 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2063rd of 35406 | 1,460 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1467th of 30306 | 1,819 |