A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Harriet since 1880
Babies named Harriet per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Harriet's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,369 |
| 1890s | 4,171 |
| 1900s | 4,600 |
| 1910s | 15,598 |
| 1920s | 20,873 |
| 1930s | 13,692 |
| 1940s | 12,925 |
| 1950s | 7,129 |
| 1960s | 2,943 |
| 1970s | 851 |
| 1980s | 453 |
| 1990s | 345 |
| 2000s | 449 |
| 2010s | 1,570 |
| 2020s | 1,338 |
Meaning & origin
Harriet is a classic name with a long history of usage in English-speaking countries. Its earliest recorded year in the United States is 1880, when it ranked 1,071, meaning it was among the more common names of the era. However, its popularity declined throughout the 20th century before beginning a resurgence in 1994. In 2025, it remains relatively rare, given to about 1 in 7,112 baby girls. The name carries a strong, dignified image, partly due to associations with figures like Harriet Tubman. It is particularly popular in Washington, D.C., Minnesota, and New York. Harriet's vintage charm and solid meaning make it a distinctive choice that feels familiar yet uncommon.
Harriet is the English vernacular form of the French Henriette, itself a feminine diminutive of Henri (Henry). The name Henry derives from the Germanic name Heimirich, meaning 'home ruler' or 'ruler of the household.' It has been used in England since the 17th century and was particularly common in the 19th century.
Where Harriet is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Harriet” around the world
Where Harriet lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
19
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#56
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#91
in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hattie, Hatty, Hettie, Etta, Harry
Sibling names for Harriet
Names that share Harriet's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Charlotte, Eleanor, Amelia, Catherine, Louisa, Georgianna, Georgina, Philippa, Winslow, Harvie, Henretta, Marinda, Charlott, Ellinor, Robina, Charlett, Harryette, Thomasa
Brothers: William, Henry, George, Thomas, Charles, Grover, Howard, Lewis, Luther, Cliffton, Fulton, Jarvis, Orville, Stanford, Truman, Bartley, Curtiss, Darvin, Fenton, Hilliard, Melville, Ottis, Prentiss, Rosevelt, Sumner, Thornton, Webster, Burgess, Everet, Fielding, Hammond, Harman, Horton, Lindbergh, Markham, Parry, Plummer, Rutherford, Seward, Simpson, Wilmot, Winthrop, Worley, Alanson, Chilton, Clements, Durham, Fillmore, Harlis, Hartwell, Hillman, Mansfield, Talbot, Warrick, Woodard, Haward, Bedford, Custer, Leverett, Proctor, Regginald, Richards, Sargent, Shafter
