Boy
Breton / Celtic
2 syllables
Harvey
HAR-vee
/ˈhɑːrvi/
"Battle worthy" — a name of Breton warriors, retro British warmth, and a spectacular modern revival
Harvey derives from the Breton Haerviu, composed of haer (battle) and viu (worthy, strong), meaning 'battle worthy' or 'strong in battle.' It was brought to England by Breton settlers after the Norman Conquest and remained in use throughout the medieval and early modern period. After decades of being considered old-fashioned, Harvey has experienced a remarkable revival — it is now one of the most fashionable names for boys in the UK, driven by a wave of affection for vintage names with genuine character.
Quick Facts
Letters6
SyllablesHar · vey
GenderBoy
OriginBreton / Celtic
Root WordHaerviu
MeaningBattle worthy, strong in battle
PopularityPopular
Peak Year2020
Trend
↑ Rising
Name DayJune 17
Nicknames
HarvHarvie
About the Name Harvey
Harvey means 'battle worthy' or 'strong in battle,' from the Breton Haerviu. It combines haer (battle) and viu (worthy/strong), making it a name with a genuinely martial, courageous meaning.
Harvey is very popular in the UK, ranking in the top 10, and is rising in the US where it ranks around #195. It is one of the most spectacular success stories of the vintage name revival.
Harvey suggests warmth, friendliness, and an unpretentious, sociable character. The name has a natural, likable quality — someone who is good company, generous in spirit, and comfortable in their own skin.
Classic British names pair beautifully: Harvey James, Harvey George, Harvey William, or Harvey Arthur. Two-syllable middles create a pleasing rhythm with Harvey's own two syllables.
Harvey comes from the Breton Haerviu, brought to England by Breton settlers after the Norman Conquest. It was associated with Saint Harvey of Brittany and has been used in England and France since the medieval period.
Harv is the most natural nickname for Harvey. Harvie is a slightly warmer variant. Many parents simply use Harvey in full, particularly in the UK where the full name is thoroughly fashionable.
Personality of Harvey
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Harvey
Creativity
72%
Elegance
70%
Independence
75%
Intelligence
78%
Strength
80%
Warmth
88%
Famous People Named Harvey
H
Harvey Weinstein
American film producer whose Oscar-winning productions and subsequent legal downfall defined a cultural era
H
Harvey Keitel
American actor known for Pulp Fiction, The Piano, and Reservoir Dogs, a master of intense character roles
H
Harvey Milk
American politician who was the first openly gay elected official in California, assassinated in 1978
H
Harvey (play/film)
The 1950 James Stewart film about Elwood P. Dowd and his invisible six-foot rabbit companion Harvey
Middle Names for Harvey
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Harvey
Harvey James
Harvey George
Harvey William
Harvey Thomas
Harvey Edward
Harvey Oliver
Harvey Arthur
Harvey Frederick
Harvey Albert
Harvey Bertie
Harvey Leon
Harvey Finn
Names Similar to Harvey
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Harvey
500s CE
Saint Harvey (Hervé) lives in Brittany as a blind monk and musician, becoming patron saint of the blind
1066
Breton settlers bring the name Haerviu/Harvey to England following the Norman Conquest
1978
Harvey Milk is assassinated in San Francisco, his legacy becoming a symbol of the LGBTQ rights movement
1990s–2000s
Harvey is widely considered an old-fashioned name in the UK and largely out of fashion
2015–present
Harvey surges spectacularly in the UK, becoming a top-10 name as the vintage revival fully embraces it
Numerology & Symbolism of Harvey
7
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
6
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Scorpio
7
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Warm Rust
💎
Lucky Stone
Carnelian
🌸
Lucky Flower
Marigold
Harvey Around the World
How Harvey is written in different languages and scripts
هارفي
Arabic
ハーヴィー
Japanese
Харви
Russian
하비
Korean
哈维
Chinese
Χάρβεϊ
Greek
हार्वी
Hindi
הארווי
Hebrew
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