A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Harland since 1882
Babies named Harland per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Harland's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 24 |
| 1890s | 62 |
| 1900s | 105 |
| 1910s | 840 |
| 1920s | 1,357 |
| 1930s | 894 |
| 1940s | 635 |
| 1950s | 423 |
| 1960s | 281 |
| 1970s | 183 |
| 1980s | 135 |
| 1990s | 117 |
| 2000s | 130 |
| 2010s | 317 |
| 2020s | 310 |
Meaning & origin
Harland is a surname-derived first name that enjoyed its greatest popularity in the early 20th century. In 1905, its peak year, the name reached positions far higher than its current standing. After declining through much of the 20th century, Harland has been rising since 1999. Its 1-in-23,398 birth rate in 2025 reflects a renewed interest in vintage surnames and old-fashioned masculine names. Top states historically include Missouri, California, and Texas. The name conjures natural imagery with its 'hare's meadow' meaning, and shares a sound-alike kinship with more common names like Harley and Harlan.
Harland is an English surname transferred to given name use. It is locational, derived from Old English hara (hare) and land (land, territory), originally referring to someone who lived near a field frequented by hares. The name appears in Yorkshire placenames and was established as a surname by the medieval period. It saw modest use as a first name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, peaking in 1905.
Where Harland is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Harley, Hal, Lanny
Variants: Harlande, Herland
Sibling names for Harland
Names that share Harland's style, for a brother or sister.
