Bentley is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls in recent years. It is derived from the Old English word "beorht", which means bright or famous, and the suffix "-leigh", which denotes a meadow or field. Thus, the name Bentley translates to "bright meadow" or "famous meadow".
The use of the name Bentley can be traced back to medieval England, where it was often used as a surname. However, its usage as a given name is more recent, becoming popular in the latter half of the 20th century. Today, Bentley is considered a unisex name and has gained popularity in various English-speaking countries.
Some notable people with the name Bentley include the British automotive engineer W.O. Bentley, who founded the luxury car brand Bentley Motors in 1919; American singer-songwriter Harry Bentley, known professionally as "Bentley"; and Australian rules footballer Luke Bentley.
In literature, Bentley has appeared as a character name in various works, such as the novel "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the comic book series "Watchmen" by Alan Moore. Additionally, the name has been used in popular culture for characters in films like "Bentley Buracuda" (1978) and television shows such as "Entourage" (2004-2011).
Overall, Bentley is a distinctive and appealing name with a rich history that combines the meanings of brightness or fame and the beauty of nature. Its versatility as both a boy's and girl's name has contributed to its growing popularity in recent decades.
The name Bentley has seen a consistent but modest level of popularity in the United States over recent years. Between 2010 and 2017, there were a total of 27 babies named Bentley each year. The number of births remained steady at five per year from 2010 to 2011, then dipped to zero in 2012 before rebounding to five again in 2013. In 2014, the popularity of the name rose slightly with seven births recorded that year. However, it dipped back down to five in 2017.
Despite the fluctuations, Bentley remains a uncommon yet notable choice among parents in the United States. It's important to note that these statistics only represent a small fraction of the total number of births each year, highlighting that Bentley is not one of the most popular names but rather a distinctive and unique choice.