Harold
Harold is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Army ruler or leader of the warrior force.
Origin and history
Harold is derived from the Old English name Hereweald and Old Norse Haraldr, meaning ruler of an army. It was historically prominent among Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian royalty. In the United States, Harold was immensely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and now carries a classic, vintage appeal.
Popularity in the United States
551,632 babies in the United States have been named Harold since 1880. It ranks #61 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #881.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.7 %)
- PA (6.5 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
- OH (5.8 %)
- MI (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,001 |
| 1890-1900 | 7,018 |
| 1900-1910 | 12,795 |
| 1910-1920 | 79,721 |
| 1920-1930 | 133,585 |
| 1930-1940 | 95,467 |
| 1940-1950 | 82,176 |
| 1950-1960 | 62,183 |
| 1960-1970 | 36,744 |
| 1970-1980 | 17,587 |
| 1980-1990 | 9,183 |
| 1990-2000 | 5,518 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,472 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,748 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,434 |
Famous people named Harold
- Harold Washington: Mayor, Politician
- Harold Ramis: Actor, Director
- Harold Lloyd: Actor, Comedian
Nicknames
Hal, Harry
Fun facts
- Harold II was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king of England, reigning until his death at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
- Harold was a top-20 boys' name in the United States from the late 1890s through the 1920s.