Boy Name · Surname Origin
Berkeley
Berkeley means “Meadow, leigh”. It is a boy's name of Surname origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Berkeley is a boy baby name of Surname origin, meaning "Meadow, leigh". It currently sits in the Rare tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Berkeley often also consider Berkley.
Berkeley meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Meadow, leigh
Origin: Surname naming roots help connect Berkeley to related Surname baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Berkeley as B·E·R·K·E·L·E·Y, with 8 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Berkeley is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Berkeley variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Berkeleya, Berkeleye, Berkeleyy, Berkele.
- Nicknames: Berk and B.
- Middle names: Pair Berkeley with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Berkeley middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Berkley, Barclay, Brooklyn, Beverley, Brooklynn — full picks on the sibling names for Berkeley guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Berkeley? Browse our names like Berkeley guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Berkeley
What does the name Berkeley mean?
Berkeley means "Meadow, leigh" and is of Surname origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Berkeley is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Berkeley?
Berkeley originates in Surname naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Berkeley?
Berkeley has 8 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Berkeley a boy's or girl's name?
Berkeley is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Berkeley in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Berkeley sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Berkeley?
Names that share Berkeley's sound and style include Berkley, Barclay, Brooklyn, Beverley, Brooklynn.
What middle names pair well with Berkeley?
Good middle-name fits for Berkeley pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Berkeley is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Berkeley is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Berkeley?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Berkeley share its rhythm without rhyming — Berkley, Barclay, Brooklyn all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.