Arnold
Arnold is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Eagle power or ruler of eagles.
Origin and history
Arnold is a classic male given name derived from Germanic elements meaning eagle and power. It was historically prominent in medieval Europe and became common throughout the English-speaking world. In the United States, it was widely used during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and now carries a timeless, traditional feel.
Popularity in the United States
103,846 babies in the United States have been named Arnold since 1880. It ranks #309 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1313.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.7 %)
- CA (6.7 %)
- IL (5.1 %)
- TX (5.1 %)
- MI (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 404 |
| 1890-1900 | 859 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,546 |
| 1910-1920 | 12,586 |
| 1920-1930 | 19,531 |
| 1930-1940 | 17,888 |
| 1940-1950 | 16,036 |
| 1950-1960 | 13,196 |
| 1960-1970 | 9,501 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,688 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,578 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,695 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,696 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,000 |
| 2020-2029 | 642 |
Famous people named Arnold
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: Actor, Politician
- Arnold Palmer: Golfer, Athlete
- Arnold Schoenberg: Composer, Music Theorist
Nicknames
Arnie, Arny, Arn
Fun facts
- The name stems from the Germanic compound elements 'arn' (eagle) and 'wald' (power or rule).
- The Normans introduced Arnold to England, replacing the Old English cognate Earnweald.