Harvey
From Haerviu, name of a Breton saint, from Old Breton hoiarn (“iron”) + viu (“blazing”).
Every Harvey since 1880 — 128,792 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Harvey
Harvey is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #251 in 2025 with 1,381 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 128,792 American babies have been named Harvey. Its peak came in 1921, when 2,294 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Harvey stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Harvey year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | #6,196 | 1,381 | #251 |
| 2024 | 26 | #5,066 | 1,446 | #245 |
| 2023 | 26 | #5,045 | 1,028 | #326 |
| 2022 | 18 | #6,548 | 797 | #402 |
| 2021 | 20 | #6,033 | 733 | #421 |
| 2020 | 16 | #7,036 | 714 | #416 |
| 2019 | 12 | #8,784 | 773 | #404 |
| 2018 | 10 | #10,079 | 683 | #443 |
| 2017 | 19 | #6,373 | 856 | #383 |
| 2016 | 13 | #8,574 | 778 | #412 |
| 2015 | 8 | #12,250 | 697 | #439 |
| 2014 | 5 | #17,493 | 578 | #487 |
| 2013 | 5 | #17,534 | 406 | #614 |
| 2012 | — | — | 288 | #787 |
| 2011 | — | — | 251 | #849 |
| 2010 | — | — | 189 | #1,027 |
| 2009 | — | — | 181 | #1,050 |
| 2008 | — | — | 145 | #1,214 |
| 2007 | — | — | 153 | #1,160 |
| 2006 | — | — | 143 | #1,180 |
| 2005 | — | — | 162 | #1,035 |
| 2004 | — | — | 156 | #1,045 |
| 2003 | — | — | 139 | #1,104 |
| 2002 | — | — | 139 | #1,080 |
| 2001 | — | — | 134 | #1,076 |
| 2000 | — | — | 162 | #940 |
| 1995 | — | — | 145 | #920 |
| 1990 | — | — | 214 | #693 |
| 1985 | — | — | 233 | #576 |
| 1980 | — | — | 284 | #501 |
| 1975 | — | — | 339 | #424 |
| 1970 | — | — | 542 | #347 |
| 1965 | — | — | 722 | #278 |
| 1960 | 11 | #4,002 | 1,003 | #252 |
| 1955 | 9 | #4,177 | 1,289 | #200 |
| 1950 | 12 | #3,127 | 1,811 | #147 |
| 1945 | 15 | #2,272 | 1,974 | #116 |
| 1940 | 14 | #2,236 | 2,088 | #98 |
| 1935 | 10 | #2,815 | 1,958 | #99 |
| 1930 | 10 | #2,936 | 2,062 | #92 |
| 1925 | 18 | #2,144 | 2,190 | #88 |
| 1920 | 21 | #1,914 | 2,165 | #87 |
| 1915 | 8 | #3,256 | 1,613 | #95 |
| 1910 | — | — | 382 | #89 |
| 1905 | — | — | 286 | #85 |
| 1900 | — | — | 322 | #81 |
| 1895 | — | — | 282 | #70 |
| 1890 | — | — | 296 | #65 |
| 1885 | — | — | 304 | #59 |
| 1880 | — | — | 344 | #51 |
Famous people named Harvey
- Harvey Weinstein Producer · b. 1952
- Harvey Keitel Actor · b. 1939
- Harvey Milk Politician · 1930–1978
- Harvey Cushing Physician · 1869–1939
- Harvey S. Firestone Businessperson · 1868–1938
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Harvey mean?
From Haerviu, name of a Breton saint, from Old Breton hoiarn (“iron”) + viu (“blazing”).
How popular is the name Harvey in 2025?
Harvey ranked #251 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,381 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Harvey?
128,792 babies have been named Harvey in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Harvey most popular?
Harvey peaked in 1921, when 2,294 newborns received the name.
Is Harvey a boy or girl name?
Harvey is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Harvey rising or falling?
Harvey is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Harvey?
Well-known people named Harvey include Harvey Weinstein (producer), Harvey Keitel (actor), Harvey Milk (politician).