Harvey is a name of English origin that has a long and interesting history. It is derived from the Old French word 'Harve', which means 'bear'. This name was initially used as a given name, but over time it evolved into a surname.
The name Harvey first appeared in England during the Norman Conquest in 1066. It was brought to England by the Normans who invaded and occupied the country. The name was typically given to boys who were born around harvest time or who had a strong and powerful personality like that of a bear.
Over the centuries, the name Harvey has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the most famous Harveys is Harry Houdini, whose real name was Ehrich Weiss but he changed it to Harry Harper before adopting his stage name Houdini. Another well-known Harvey is Paul Harvey, an American radio broadcaster who was known for his storytelling programs.
Despite its masculine origins, Harvey has also been used as a female given name in recent years. This trend may have been influenced by the popularity of the name Harper, which has become increasingly popular for girls in recent decades.
In conclusion, Harvey is a name with a rich history that spans centuries and continents. While it originally had a strong association with masculinity due to its bear-related meaning, it has since evolved into a unisex name that can be given to boys or girls alike.
The name Harvey appears to have been quite popular at the turn of the century, with over 1,000 births per year from 1894 onwards until peaking in 1915 with 1,613 births. However, its popularity began declining afterwards and by the mid-20th century it was no longer among the top names. In recent years, Harvey has seen a resurgence in popularity, especially since around 2010, with over 700 births per year from 2015 onwards.