Harvey Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis

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Summary

The name Harvey has its origins in Old French, deriving from the Old Breton name 'Haerviu'. It means 'battle worthy' and has evolved through various historical forms. While it gained popularity during the Middle Ages, it has maintained a consistent presence in modern naming trends. The name is associated with traits of bravery and friendliness, and it does not have biblical relevance.

The name Harvey is most popular in South Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Harvey has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Harvey' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 86th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 104th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 189th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 372nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 682nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1031st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 403rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2373rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2341st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4530th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 11870th out of 19264 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 7578th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Harvey' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.

Etymology & Cultural Background of "Harvey"

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Pronunciation

/ˈhɑːr.vi/

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Origin

Old French

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Etymology

The name Harvey is derived from the Old Breton name 'Haerviu', which is composed of the elements 'haer', meaning 'battle', and 'viu', meaning 'worthy' or 'brave'.

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Meaning

battle worthy

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Language Evolution

Haerviu (Old Breton), Hervé (Old French), Harvey (Modern English)

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Historical Usage

The name Harvey gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in the Norman period, and has remained in use in various forms throughout the centuries.

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Variants & Derivatives

Hervé, Harvie, Harv

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Modern Popularity & Image

Harvey is perceived as a traditional yet modern name, often associated with friendliness and approachability. It has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.

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Famous People

Harvey Milk, American civil rights leader, Harvey Weinstein, American film producer, Harvey Keitel, American actor

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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Harvey"

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 "Harvey"

"Harvey" Popularity Across American Generations

Generation Gender Rank Total Names
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Boy 86th of 7545 33,621
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Boy 104th of 6773 36,714
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Boy 189th of 7552 27,023
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Boy 372nd of 10718 7,406
Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) Boy 682nd of 16616 3,347
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) Boy 1031st of 24088 2,670
Generation Alpha (2013-2024) Boy 403rd of 23106 9,481
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Girl 2373rd of 9107 246
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Girl 2341st of 9204 246
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Girl 4530th of 12526 144
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Girl 11870th of 19264 29
Generation Alpha (2013-2024) Girl 7578th of 30306 178

Regional Popularity of "Harvey" by Generation for Male Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
5.51%
78th/1416
7.18%
99th/1379
3.76%
89th/2366
8.58%
98th/1142
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
6.53%
101st/1546
5.08%
79th/1556
3.95%
93rd/2353
7.82%
121st/1547
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
9.25%
206th/2227
6.54%
159th/2430
5.82%
166th/2853
8.40%
233rd/2775
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
12.90%
379th/2937
10.31%
359th/3483
8.64%
304th/3518
12.02%
486th/4044
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
19.16%
706th/3685
14.91%
667th/4475
11.73%
609th/5194
13.42%
848th/6317
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
23.11%
1059th/4582
19.83%
1024th/5164
15.36%
1123rd/7313
13.75%
1026th/7463
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
7.68%
306th/3984
10.32%
463rd/4487
7.36%
502nd/6822
5.69%
357th/6276

Regional Popularity of "Harvey" by Generation for Female Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
- - 78.32%
1853rd/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)
- - - -
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
- - - -

State-by-State Popularity of "Harvey"

This map shows the relative popularity of "Harvey" 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.