Harold
Harold is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Army ruler or leader of the warrior host.
Origin and history
Harold is a traditional masculine name derived from Germanic roots meaning army ruler or leader. Though historically given almost exclusively to boys, SSA records show rare usage for females in the United States, predominantly in the early-to-mid 20th century. It is currently unranked for female births in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
2,648 babies in the United States have been named Harold since 1880. It ranks #3430 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- NY (17 %)
- WI (15.4 %)
- PA (10.2 %)
- OH (10 %)
- IL (9.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 34 |
| 1900-1910 | 54 |
| 1910-1920 | 367 |
| 1920-1930 | 807 |
| 1930-1940 | 431 |
| 1940-1950 | 276 |
| 1950-1960 | 223 |
| 1960-1970 | 194 |
| 1970-1980 | 155 |
| 1980-1990 | 94 |
| 1990-2000 | 7 |
| 2000-2010 | 6 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Harry, Hal
Fun facts
- Derived from Old English Hereweald and Old Norse Haraldr, combining elements for 'army' and 'power' or 'ruler'.
- Over 2,600 female births have been recorded under the name Harold in the U.S. since 1880, mostly in the early 20th century.