A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Harding since 1913
Babies named Harding per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 70 |
| 1920s | 695 |
| 1930s | 44 |
| 1940s | 130 |
| 1950s | 82 |
| 1960s | 27 |
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 28 |
| 2020s | 29 |
Meaning & origin
Harding is a surname-turned-given name of English origin, rising in use since 2010 after a long decline. First recorded as a given name in 1913, it climbed to a peak rank in 1920, the year Warren G. Harding was elected president. By 2025, it stood at rank 12,008, with approximately 1 in 341,615 male births, suggesting a niche but persistent choice. The name's trajectory shows a revival, as more families look to old-fashioned surnames with a solid, presidential echo. Its top states are not concentrated, reflecting its broad but sparse use across the U.S.
Harding is a patronymic surname that originated in medieval England, derived from the Old English personal name 'Heard' (meaning 'hardy, brave') combined with the suffix '-ing' meaning 'son of'. It was borne by an Anglo-Saxon saint, St. Harding, and became established as a given name in the 19th century, partly in honor of U.S. President Warren G. Harding.
Sibling names for Harding
Names that share Harding's style, for a brother or sister.
