Gender Masculine
Usage English
Pronounced Pron. HAHR-vee  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

From the Breton given name Haerviu, which meant "battle worthy", from haer "battle" and viu "worthy". This was the name of a 6th-century Breton hermit who is the patron saint of the blind. Settlers from Brittany introduced it to England after the Norman Conquest. During the later Middle Ages it became rare, but it was revived in the 19th century.

Related Names

VariantsHarvie, Hervey
DiminutiveHarve
Other Languages & CulturesHerve(Breton) Hervé(French) Haerviu(Medieval Breton)
Surname DescendantHarvey(English)

Popularity

People think this name is

classic   mature   wholesome   strong   strange   simple  

Categories

Entry updated June 13, 2019