Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Bentley
BoyOld English· “clearing with bent grass”
- Meaning
- clearing with bent grass
- Origin
- Old English
- Pronunciation
- BEHNT-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #215
- US babies 2025
- 1,649
- Best rank
- #75 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2012
Meaning and origin of Bentley
Bentley is an Old English name that is usually said to mean “clearing with bent grass”.
Bentley comes from an English surname taken from several places called Bentley, from Old English beonet, a kind of coarse grass known as bent grass, and leah, "woodland clearing" or "meadow". The meaning is roughly "clearing where bent grass grows". The name is widely associated with the British luxury car maker founded by W. O. Bentley, which gives it an image of polish and style. As a first name it follows the popularity of surname names ending in -ley, such as Ashley and Bradley. Bentley sounds friendly and upscale at once, and Ben is an easy nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Bently.
Popularity over time
Bentley first appears in US Social Security records in 1890. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 22 different years, starting in 1890. Its best national rank was #75 in 2011, and the most babies received it in 2012, when 5,895 were named Bentley. In 2025, 1,649 babies were named Bentley, and it ranked #215 nationally. That is 62% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,617 in 1920, #2,449 in 1950, #2,288 in 1980, #2,432 in 2000, #100 in 2010, and #215 in 2025. Of the 60,027 US boys named Bentley since records began, 73% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 12,662 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Blake, Ayden, Dominic, Jace, and Colton.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bentley ranked highest in West Virginia, Maine, and Kentucky.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #39 | 33 |
| Maine | #68 | 17 |
| Kentucky | #81 | 62 |
| Arkansas | #87 | 36 |
| Montana | #98 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Bentley over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Bentley is usually pronounced BEHNT-lee, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-ey”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Bently.
Middle names for Bentley
A few middle names that flow with Bentley: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bentley
Similar names
Harley Unisex
HAR-lee
“hare meadow” · Old English
#418
Oakley Unisex
OHK-lee
“oak clearing” · English
#156
Westley Boy
WEHST-lee
“west meadow” · English
#619
Riley Unisex
RY-lee
“rye clearing” · English
#48
Wesley Boy
WEHS-lee
“west meadow” · Old English
#52
Ashton Boy
ASH-tuhn
“ash-tree town” · Old English
#197
Camden Boy
KAM-dihn
“enclosed valley” · Old English
#205
Preston Boy
PREHS-tuhn
“priest's town” · English
#299
Kingston Boy
KIHNG-stuhn
“king's town” · English
#204
Bradley Boy
BRAD-lee
“broad clearing” · English
#403
Leighton Unisex
LAY-tuhn
“leek enclosure or herb garden” · English
#342
Kingsley Unisex
KINGZ-lee
“king's wood” · Old English
#1,096
Lists that include Bentley
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bentley mean?
Bentley is an Old English name that is usually said to mean “clearing with bent grass”.
What is the origin of the name Bentley?
Bentley has Old English roots. Bentley comes from an English surname taken from several places called Bentley, from Old English beonet, a kind of coarse grass known as bent grass, and leah, "woodland clearing" or "meadow".
Is Bentley a popular name?
Yes. Bentley ranked #215 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Bentley a boy or girl name?
Bentley is mainly a boy's name. About 95% of US babies named Bentley over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Bentley?
Bentley is usually pronounced BEHNT-lee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings