A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Harald since 1913
Babies named Harald per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 80 |
| 1920s | 166 |
| 1930s | 122 |
| 1940s | 93 |
| 1950s | 106 |
| 1960s | 136 |
| 1970s | 17 |
| 1980s | 16 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 25 |
| 2020s | 45 |
Meaning & origin
Harald is a Scandinavian classic with royal pedigree, though its U.S. use has been scarce. First recorded in 1913, the name peaked in 1925 during a wave of Old Norse revival names. Since 2020, it has been rising again, perhaps as parents rediscover strong, traditional names. With a rank of 5,861 in 2025 and a remarkably low frequency of 1 in 113,872 newborns, Harald is a distinctive choice that carries centuries of history without feeling dated. Its trajectory since 2020 suggests a slow but steady uptick, though it remains well outside the top 1,000.
Harald is derived from the Old Norse name Haraldr, composed of elements harja (army) and valdr (ruler). It was a common name among Norse kings and chieftains, most famously Harald Fairhair, who unified Norway in the 9th century. The name spread to other Germanic regions, including England via Viking settlers, and remained popular in Scandinavia and Germany through the Middle Ages.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Harry, Hal, Haro
Sibling names for Harald
Names that share Harald's style, for a brother or sister.
