Bradley

Bradley is a given name and a surname of English origin. It derives from the Old English elements brad, meaning broad, and leah, meaning clearing or meadow. The name was originally topographic, describing someone who lived near a broad clearing, and later developed into a family name and, in some cases, a masculine given name.

As a given name, Bradley has been common in the English-speaking world since the mid-20th century. Notable people with the given name include actor Bradley Cooper, actor Bradley Whitford, basketball player Bradley Beal, and cyclist Bradley Wiggins. Bradley remains widely used as a surname in many countries, often with various regional spellings and adaptations.

In geography and institutions, Bradley names several places in the United States and is the name of notable facilities. There are towns named Bradley in Illinois and California, among others. Bradley International Airport serves the Hartford–Springfield area in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Bradley University, a private university in Peoria, Illinois, carries the name as well.

Bradley has also become a surname used in many cultures and is encountered in place names and institutions around the world, reflecting its long-standing English linguistic roots.