UK boy's name
Barkley
A masculine name potentially derived from an English place name or occupation.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Barkley is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Barkley popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 22 births.
This profile covers 95 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2007 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 14% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 94 living people in the UK are called Barkley. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Barkley ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 22 boys were registered as Barkley.
- • About 94 living people in the UK are estimated to have Barkley as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4991
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2014
22 births
Estimated living
94
2026
Meaning
What does Barkley mean?
The name Barkley originated in England during the Middle Ages, derived from the Old English words "beorg" meaning hill or mound, and "leah" meaning a clearing or meadow. It was likely a surname given to someone who lived near a hill or mound in a clearing or meadow.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Barkley dates back to the 13th century, when a man named John de Barkley was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. This suggests that the name was in use as a surname or place name at least as early as the late 13th century.
In the late 14th century, a man named William Barkley was recorded as a member of the English Parliament, representing the constituency of Arundel in Sussex in 1388. This further solidifies the presence of the name in England during the medieval period.
The name Barkley gained some historical significance in the 15th century when Sir Robert Barkley (c. 1415-1463) served as a renowned soldier and military commander during the Wars of the Roses. He fought for the House of York and was knighted for his service on the battlefield.
Another notable individual with the name Barkley was Sir Henry Barkley (1572-1628), an English diplomat and member of Parliament during the reign of King James I. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1620-1621.
In the 18th century, a clergyman named James Barkley (1713-1786) gained recognition as an influential Presbyterian minister and educator in Pennsylvania, United States. He founded several schools and played a role in the establishment of higher education institutions in the region.
During the American Revolutionary War, Andrew Barkley (1753-1818) served as a colonel in the Continental Army and fought in several major battles, including the Battle of Brandywine and the Battle of Germantown.
It's important to note that while the name Barkley has been used throughout history, it has remained relatively rare compared to some other English names. However, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including military leaders, politicians, clergymen, and educators, showcasing its enduring presence across different eras and contexts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Barkley over time
The chart below shows babies named Barkley registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Barkley, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 22 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Barkley by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Barkley was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3800 | 14 | 3 |
| 2010s | #2113 | 78 | 6 |
| 2000s | #4333 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Barkley
- Benjamin 90,412
- Ben 36,356
- Bradley 30,230
- Brandon 26,411
- Billy 18,608
- Bobby 16,904
- Blake 16,337
- Bailey 16,014
- Brody 7,230
- Beau 6,722
- Barnaby 5,284
- Brodie 4,801
FAQ
Barkley: questions and answers
How popular is the name Barkley in the UK right now?
In 2023, Barkley was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Barkley most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 22 babies registered as Barkley in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Barkley?
A masculine name potentially derived from an English place name or occupation.
How many people are called Barkley in the UK?
A total of 95 babies have been registered as Barkley across the 10 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.