Holding steady, #116 for boys today.
Popularity of Harrison since 1880
Babies named Harrison per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Harrison's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,235 |
| 1890s | 991 |
| 1900s | 530 |
| 1910s | 2,431 |
| 1920s | 3,265 |
| 1930s | 2,165 |
| 1940s | 2,135 |
| 1950s | 2,037 |
| 1960s | 1,381 |
| 1970s | 1,053 |
| 1980s | 3,970 |
| 1990s | 13,783 |
| 2000s | 17,208 |
| 2010s | 28,557 |
| 2020s | 18,397 |
Meaning & origin
Harrison is an English patronymic name meaning "son of Harry" or "son of Henry." It has been in continuous use as a given name since the 1880s, when it first appeared in US records. In 2025, Harrison ranked 116th, with a steady birth rate of 1 in 556 boys. Its popularity peaked in 1888, but it has remained consistently ranked in the top 200 for decades. The name is especially well-liked in Vermont, Maine, and North Dakota, reflecting its appeal in states with strong English heritage. Despite its surname origin, Harrison has carved out an identity as a classic first name, neither overly trendy nor dated.
Harrison is an English patronymic surname meaning "son of Harry," with Harry itself being a medieval diminutive of Henry. It arose in northern England and became common as a given name in the 19th century, partly influenced by U.S. President William Henry Harrison. The name has maintained steady usage in the United States since the 1880s.
Where Harrison 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.
“Harrison” around the world
Where Harrison lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
47
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#55
in 2025
Quebec
13
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#29
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Harry, Sonny
Sibling names for Harrison
Names that share Harrison's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Charlotte, Eleanor, Grace, Claire, Vivian, Sidney, Aniston, Charli, Halley, Paris, Winslow, Carrington, Coralee, Kensington, Lexington, Lindley, Roslynn, Tennessee, Charlise, Dabney, Harrietta, Kenzington, Mccartney, Nathalee, Noralee, Aubreyana, Bellany, Ellary, Elliotte, Hasset, Hayle, Hether, Magdalynn, Mattingly, Sinclaire, Aliceson, Arrabella, Bennette, Elloree, Henchy, Hillarie, Jenaveve, Matteson
Brothers: Owen, Carter, Lucas, Jack, Benjamin, Barrett, Clinton, Dallas, Hollis, Jameson, Jefferson, Marshall, Maxwell, Spencer, Wesley, Anson, Benton, Booker, Bradford, Carlton, Cliffton, Edison, Everette, Gibson, Harlin, Harris, Hilton, Kingsley, Manning, Marshal, Montgomery, Princeton, Quenton, Quincy, Stanford, Stanton, Sterling, Thatcher, Truman, Westley, Winston, Aston, Carleton, Carlisle, Charlton, Cortland, Fitzgerald, Heston, Iverson, Newman, Robinson, Stevenson, Stratton, Taft, Thompson, Adams, Astor, Carlson, Chapman, Claiborne, Dennison, Dillinger, Edwards, Essex, Everhett, Everitt, Fielding, Fuller, Harden, Henson, Herson, Holmes, Holton, Hughes, Hutson, Markham, Maxfield, Maximillion, Nichols, Ontario, Princeston, Richardson, Townsend, Whitfield, Ashford, Barkley, Beaumont, Durham, Grantham, Haddon, Halden, Harvin, Hodges, Hollace, Huntington, Hutchinson, Livingston, Prescott, Snyder, Warrick, Barett, Belmont, Chamberlain, Churchill, Clayborne, Cranston, Gardiner, Garrell, Goldman, Gresham, Hendricks, Herron, Hollister, Kingsly
Names like Harrison
Names whose popularity has moved with Harrison's over the last 50 years.
