The story behind Harvey
From Haerviu, name of a Breton saint, from Old Breton hoiarn (“iron”) + viu (“blazing”). Cognate with modern Breton Haerviu. In Ireland, used as an anglicisation of Irish Ó hAirmheadhaigh and Ó hEarchaidh. The civil parish in New Brunswick is probably named in honour of British colonial administrator John Harvey (1778 - 1852).
Pronunciation
General-American: /ˈhɑ(ɹ)vi/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˈhɑːvi/
Popularity
Harvey ranked #6196 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Harvey
Hadley
From Old English hǣþ (“heath”) + Old English leah (“woodland clearing”). Equivalent to heath (compare Heath) + -ley.
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Hailey
From Old English hīeġ (“hay”) + lēah (“clearing”).
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Handy
Originating as a nickname for a handy person.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Hany
Borrowed from Arabic هَانِيّ (hāniyy), meaning "one who lives in happiness and tranquillity"; "the embellisher"; or "luscious".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Harley
From Old English hær (“rock”) or hara (“hare”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”). Equivalent to hare + -ley (“lea”).
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Harry
Medieval English spoken form of Old French Henri. Unadapted borrowing from English Harry.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Harvey
Alana
Feminine form of Alan (from Alan + -a). In regular use since the 20th century. alana (“awakening”); the modern usage is reinforced by English Alana.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Brice
A male given name from the Celtic languages, a variant of Bryce.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Bryce
A male given name from the Celtic languages, variant of Brice.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Harvey
Ailean
a male given name from the Celtic languages, equivalent to English Alan
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Alan
From Old Breton Alan, name of early Breton saints, of disputed origin and meaning; brought to England by Normans. It may have been the name of a Celtic deity, the brother of…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Alana
Feminine form of Alan (from Alan + -a). In regular use since the 20th century. alana (“awakening”); the modern usage is reinforced by English Alana.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length