Harvey
How to say it: HAR-vee · /ˈhɑrvi/
From Breton 'Haerviu', meaning 'battle-worthy' (haer = battle, viu = worthy/active).
Harvey was the 268th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,381 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are up about 97% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #170 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #268 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 1,381 |
| Share of births | 1 in 2,400 |
| Peak decade | 1880s |
| Change over 10 years | +97% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #170 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long past its high in the 1880s, Harvey remains in steady use. Far below that peak, a modest revival looks likely.
What goes with it
Strong and breathy in tone, Harvey fits alongside Arthur.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Harvey is about 1 in 100.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #138. Ireland: #256.
Famous people named Harvey
- Harvey Keitel (born 1939)American actor
- Harvey J. Alter (born 1935)American medical researcher
- Harvey Milk (1930–1978)American politician and gay rights activist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Harvey Weinstein, convicted sex offender and MeToo figure
- Hurricane Harvey 2017, retired name
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