A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Archibald since 1880
Babies named Archibald per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2025, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Archibald's real moment was 1890.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 260 |
| 1890s | 238 |
| 1900s | 163 |
| 1910s | 486 |
| 1920s | 526 |
| 1930s | 216 |
| 1940s | 195 |
| 1950s | 180 |
| 1960s | 107 |
| 1970s | 81 |
| 1980s | 84 |
| 1990s | 85 |
| 2000s | 78 |
| 2010s | 433 |
| 2020s | 853 |
Meaning & origin
Archibald is an old Germanic name that reached its peak in the United States in 1890, when it ranked among the top 100 most popular boys' names. In 2025, the name ranked 1145th, with about 1 in every 9,283 boys receiving it during a revival that has been underway since 2000. While most popular overall in the 1890s, the name is especially favored in states such as Utah, Wisconsin, and Missouri. With its sturdy meaning and connections to Scottish history, Archibald offers a traditional alternative to more common contemporary choices.
Archibald is derived from the Old High German elements 'ercan' (genuine, natural) and 'bald' (bold, brave). The Normans introduced it to England, where it was Latinized as 'Archibaldus'. It has been used in Scotland since the Middle Ages, often associated with the Clan Campbell, and saw a peak in English-speaking countries in the 19th century.
Where Archibald is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Archibald” around the world
Where Archibald lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
95
babies in 2024
Quebec
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Archie, Arch, Baldie
Variants: Archibold, Archbald
Sibling names for Archibald
Names that share Archibald's style, for a brother or sister.
