Berkeley
BURK-lee · 3 syllables
♀ Female ◎ Old English ◈ 3 syllables
"Birch tree meadow"

From Old English

Berkeley means birch meadow — from the Old English beorc (birch) and lēah (meadow). UC Berkeley is one of the world's most prestigious universities — the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement. Busby Berkeley choreographed the most spectacular musical numbers in film history. Three syllables of the most prestigious public university, the Free Speech Movement, and the most spectacular choreography.

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Berkeley at a glance
MeaningBirch tree meadow
OriginOld English
GenderFemale
Syllables3
NumerologyLife Path 2
US Rank (today)#2017
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Why parents love Berkeley
  • UC Berkeley is one of the world's most prestigious universities.
  • The Free Speech Movement was born at Berkeley.
  • Busby Berkeley choreographed the most spectacular numbers.
  • Three syllables with a strong, intellectual sound: BURK-lee.
  • The meaning birch meadow is naturally academic.
The vibe of Berkeley
birch meadowOld EnglishUC BerkeleyFree Speech MovementBusby Berkeleychoreographyprestigious
Origin & history of Berkeley
Old English beorc (birch) + lēah (meadow) Berkeley
1
Old English roots
Berkeley means birch meadow. UC Berkeley is the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement. Busby Berkeley choreographed film's most spectacular musical numbers.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: English place; UC Berkeley (1868).
3
Today
Berkeley remains a beloved choice, ranking #2017 in the US. 2,892 babies have been named Berkeley since 1913.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, SSA data
How popular is Berkeley?
2017 peak year
At its height in 2017, Berkeley reached #1,763 nationally — 119 babies received it that single year. Its strongest stretch was the 2010s — particularly the decade right around the peak. Today, Berkeley is a less common but recognizable name in U.S. records (ranked #2,017) with about 112 babies named Berkeley each year. Berkeley's usage has fallen in recent decades. In all, around 2,892 babies have been registered as Berkeley since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations 1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
119 Babies named in peak year
(ranked #1,763)
112 Avg. per year
(last decade)
1,120 Total registrations
last 10 years
2,892 All-time total
(since 1880)
Popularity in the US today (rank #2,017) Moderate
↓ Declining in recent years
📊 Check all names registered in the United States →
Numerology of Berkeley
2
Life path number
The Peacemaker
Diplomacy, harmony and deep empathy.

Berkeley's Life Path 7 is the seeker's number — free-speech seeking. People named Berkeley tend to be intellectual, spectacular, and gifted at birthing movements from birch meadows.

Births movements from meadows
Free-Speech
UC-prestigious
Busby-choreography
Birch-intellectual
B2
E5
R9
K2
E5
L3
E5
Y7
Sum: 38 → Life path 2
Personality of Berkeley
🕊️
Peaceful
They bring calm to every room.
💞
Deeply loving
Their love runs deep and steady.
🎭
Intuitive
They read people with extraordinary accuracy.
🎵
Artistic soul
Beauty speaks to them powerfully.
Famous people named Berkeley

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Names that combine with Berkeley

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Middle names for Berkeley

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Numerology life path calculator

Enter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.

First name
Middle name (optional)
Last name
Date of birth
7
Life path number

How we calculated this
Berkeley is a beautiful choice.
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