Declining since 1985, #991 for boys today.
Popularity of Harold since 1880
Babies named Harold per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,001 |
| 1890s | 7,018 |
| 1900s | 12,795 |
| 1910s | 79,721 |
| 1920s | 133,585 |
| 1930s | 95,467 |
| 1940s | 82,176 |
| 1950s | 62,183 |
| 1960s | 36,744 |
| 1970s | 17,587 |
| 1980s | 9,183 |
| 1990s | 5,518 |
| 2000s | 3,472 |
| 2010s | 2,748 |
| 2020s | 1,434 |
Meaning & origin
Harold is a classic English name with deep historical roots, deriving from the Old English Hereweald, meaning 'army ruler.' It was borne by Anglo-Saxon kings and, after a period of disuse following the Norman Conquest, was revived in the 19th century. In the United States, Harold enjoyed immense popularity in the early 20th century, reaching its peak in 1920 when it was a top name for boys. Data from the Social Security Administration show that in 2025, Harold ranks 991st nationwide, with roughly 1 in every 7,426 baby boys receiving the name, reflecting a significant decline in usage over the past century. The name's trajectory has been falling since 1985, and it is no longer among the most common choices for newborns. The states where Harold remains most popular in recent years are Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Alabama. Although it has faded from the top 100, Harold retains a vintage charm and a strong historical legacy.
Harold comes from the Old English name Hereweald, which combines the elements 'here' (army) and 'weald' (power, rule). The name was reinforced by the Old Norse cognate Haraldr, brought to England by Scandinavian settlers before the Norman Conquest. Harold was borne by two kings of England before the Norman Conquest, including Harold Godwinson, who died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The name fell out of use for centuries after the Norman Conquest but was revived in the 19th century, when Anglo-Saxon names came back into fashion. It became widely used in the United States, peaking in the early 20th century.
Where Harold 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.
“Harold” around the world
Where Harold lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hal, Harry
Variants: Harald, Haroldson
Sibling names for Harold
Names that share Harold's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Edith, Mildred, Gertrude, Agnes, Ethel, Alberta, Bernice, Betty, Carolyn, Doris, Dorothy, Eunice, Frances, Geraldine, Gladys, Irene, Janet, Marjorie, Muriel, Norma, Phyllis, Shirley, Thelma, Verna, Alene, Aletha, Arlene, Arline, Berniece, Beverley, Carleen, Caroll, Carrol, Caryl, Charleen, Cherryl, Darleen, Dorris, Dorthy, Earline, Edythe, Elouise, Florine, Freda, Karolyn, Lavonne, Lorine, Lura, Lurline, Marilynn, Marlyn, Marlys, Myrna, Pearline, Rosalyn, Roslyn, Sharlene, Shirlee, Winifred, Ardath, Arlean, Arletha, Arletta, Arlyne, Bernetta, Bernita, Blondell, Burnice, Charlean, Charlesetta, Chesley, Dallis, Darline, Darlyne, Delorise, Dorathy, Dorotha, Dorthey, Earleen, Eldora, Ethelene, Ethyl, Florene, Fredia, Gaynell, Gearldine, Glendora, Jeanetta, Jeraldine, Lanora, Lorretta, Majorie, Margene, Marvella, Merlene, Merna, Myrtice, Naoma, Phillis, Phylis, Regena, Remona, Rosabelle, Sharolyn, Sherley, Shirlene, Shirlie, Vernelle, Vernetta, Vernita, Willette, Agness, Aileene, Aleene, Alfreida, Annell, Arleene, Arlys, Arnette, Avanelle, Bernadean, Berneda, Bernette, Bernyce, Blonnie, Brooksie, Carlean, Carolene, Clarabell, Clarene, Claris, Cledith, Clydia, Delorse, Doralee, Dorethea, Dorla, Dorlene, Dorothey, Earla, Earnesteen, Eather, Elfreda, Ellin, Etheleen, Evalene, Geneve, Geraldean, Geraldene, Geraldyne, Geraline, Gerldine, Gladies, Glenice, Harolyn, Hellon, Hildreth, Imagene, Imojean, Izella, Jackquline, Jacolyn, Jearldine, Jerlene, Jewelene, Joelyn, Joycie, Judyth, Laretta, Lauraine, Lorane, Lorrine, Luellen, Lurlene, Lyndia, Marcelyn, Marcile, Marcine, Marda, Margaree, Margorie, Marilynne, Marjie, Maudine, Maybelline, Merline, Meryle, Mirtha, Morley, Oralee, Phylliss, Raymona, Rosalene, Rosellen, Rosilyn, Sharalyn, Sheralyn, Sherrel, Teryl, Thressa, Verlee, Verneda, Virgene, Walterine, Wendolyn, Willadean, Willine, Wynell, Wynelle, Alyene, Aneita, Annise, Ardythe, Arloa, Arlyce, Arretta, Berdell, Bernestine, Bertice, Bethene, Beverlee, Beverlie, Caretha, Caroleen, Carolle, Carollyn, Caryle, Charleene, Claryce, Claudean, Clela, Clotee, Cybil, Darleene, Darlis, Darolyn, Doraine, Dorthie, Edyth, Eletha, Emagene, Emmagene, Ethelmae, Ethelyne, Evaleen, Everlene, Floella, Gailya, Gaylia, Geralene, Gerline, Gertrue, Girtrude, Gladyce, Glora, Gloriann, Gloris, Haroldine, Harryette, Hiedi, Iline, Jeanet, Jerrine, Jolaine, Joyceann, Ladona, Linder, Lorell, Lorice, Lourine, Luretta, Mardel, Margarie, Marilea, Maudry, Myrtha, Normalee, Paulyne, Philis, Sallee, Sherlie, Sherrian, Sheryn, Shirely, Shirly, Uldine, Verdelle, Verlena, Vernadine, Verniece, Wandalee, Willean, Arliene, Earlena, Glayds, Harlean, Rayola, Adlean, Ardine, Arelene, Arnice, Athalene, Athelene, Avenell, Bernetha, Bettey, Boneta, Bonnetta, Challis, Chestina, Clarece, Cloris, Darlys, Delrose, Denelda, Doralene, Doristine, Dorleen, Dorlis, Doryce, Durenda, Earnestene, Eddith, Eldine, Ertha, Ethell, Gaytha, Gearldene, Geraldin, Glendine, Glenyce, Glorine, Gretna, Idabell, Imajean, Janyth, Jerelene, Jeroline, Kathlee, Laruth, Leanor, Luane, Ludean, Lynore, Mabeline, Marene, Marjoria, Marvia, Mayrene, Mazella, Mercia, Milderd, Murdis, Murline, Norvella, Pauleen, Rether, Ritha, Rondalyn, Roslind, Ruthel, Ruthellen, Sharlett, Sharley, Shelbia, Sherald, Sherel, Shirla, Shirle, Shriley, Vandella, Verleen, Verley, Waneda, Wilene, Willeen, Wilmetta
Brothers: Walter, Arthur, Herbert, Ernest, Raymond, Alton, Alvin, Bernard, Bert, Cecil, Chester, Clifton, Earl, Earnest, Eugene, Gerald, Gilbert, Howard, Jerald, Laverne, Lester, Marvin, Milton, Morris, Nelson, Norman, Ralph, Randal, Reginald, Rodger, Ronald, Stanley, Vernon, Wilfred, Archibald, Bertram, Buford, Burton, Carroll, Darel, Delmar, Dudley, Eldon, Elwood, Franklyn, Gaylord, Haywood, Irwin, Jerold, Jerrold, Marland, Marlin, Maynard, Mervin, Morton, Murrell, Newton, Orval, Percy, Rance, Raymon, Reynold, Rolland, Rollin, Rondal, Sanford, Seymour, Sherman, Steward, Talmadge, Vernard, Warner, Wendell, Wilburn, Willis, Wilton, Winfield, Winfred, Ardell, Armond, Burdette, Burnett, Calvert, Carlis, Carlyle, Clemon, Darold, Denton, Denzil, Derald, Dillard, Durrell, Elmore, Elroy, Garold, Gearld, Gerold, Harlen, Haskell, Herb, Hilliard, Jerrel, Kennard, Lawerence, Leeroy, Leverne, Lindell, Linton, Lovell, Lynwood, Maury, Merwin, Milburn, Murry, Norton, Norwood, Oral, Oswald, Randel, Randle, Reginal, Rodman, Sherwin, Wardell, Wayland, Wendall, Wendel, Audley, Bernis, Bufford, Burtis, Carrel, Carvel, Clenton, Cleven, Colbert, Colvin, Cornel, Creston, Darrol, Darrold, Darvis, Derral, Dickson, Egbert, Erroll, Ezzard, Garald, Garnell, Godwin, Harman, Hurbert, Jarold, Jearl, Jeral, Jerrald, Lansing, Lawerance, Lawernce, Leanard, Lear, Lendell, Lendon, Lennard, Lenoard, Leodis, Lindon, Linford, Malvern, Marshel, Melford, Melven, Morrell, Oswin, Raynold, Reginold, Reymond, Rochester, Rondel, Ronnald, Royden, Rubert, Sandford, Stanly, Talbert, Thurlow, Veryl, Waldon, Wilferd, Athel, Atwood, Belford, Bernal, Bernerd, Bertin, Bertrum, Bluford, Burnard, Claxton, Clayburn, Cliford, Crandall, Danford, Darald, Darol, Darroll, Dencil, Deral, Derril, Derrill, Doral, Emmert, Eward, Freemon, Gareld, Gervis, Glenard, Goodwin, Hanford, Harlis, Hartwell, Harwood, Heywood, Jerrard, Kennett, Kenwood, Larnce, Leanord, Loras, Lynford, Normon, Ormand, Orvill, Osmond, Percell, Randolf, Reg, Rudell, Selden, Seymore, Theone, Ulis, Verbon, Verland, Vermon, Waldron, Williard, Dorance, Ellard, Eugean, Haward, Jerl, Jewett, Leston, Arlander, Arnol, Barnell, Bartow, Berle, Burwell, Carnie, Carold, Claron, Cranford, Densel, Denvil, Derl, Earsel, Elster, Eugine, Fairley, Felder, Floyed, Garlen, Gerrald, Halford, Harace, Harbert, Harce, Jerauld, Jerol, Larance, Lawarence, Lional, Luman, Lynard, Lyndle, Marrell, Melroy, Merion, Merville, Moris, Orton, Orvan, Orvile, Philmore, Proctor, Raymound, Remer, Rogerick, Rondle, Tillmon, Upton, Vernor, Warnie, Willys
Names like Harold
Names whose popularity has moved with Harold's over the last 50 years.
