Harald Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HAH-rald //ˈhɑːr.əld//
Origin: Old Norse; Germanic
Meaning: Old Norse: army ruler; Germanic: strong army
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Harald has its roots in Old Norse, derived from the elements "har" meaning "army" and "valdr" meaning "ruler" or "power." This etymology reflects the martial culture of the Viking Age, where names often signified strength and leadership. The name appears in various forms across Germanic languages, including the Old High German "Herwald" and the Old English "Hereweald," before making its way into English through the influence of Norse settlers and the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
Historically, the name Harald is notably associated with several significant figures, particularly in Scandinavian history. One of the most prominent bearers was Harald Fairhair, who is credited with unifying Norway in the 9th century.
His reign marked the beginning of the Viking Age, during which Norse culture and influence expanded across Europe. Additionally, Harald Hardrada, a king of Norway in the 11th century, is remembered for his ambitious attempts to claim the English throne, culminating in his defeat at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, a pivotal moment in English history.
Culturally, the name Harald has been imbued with connotations of nobility and leadership, often appearing in sagas and legends that celebrate Viking heritage. It has been preserved in various forms across Scandinavia, with diminutives such as "Harry" emerging in English-speaking contexts.
The name's endurance can be attributed to its strong historical associations and the cultural significance of the Viking legacy, which continues to resonate in literature and popular culture.
Famous people named Harald
In this section, you will find notable people named Harald. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Harald who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Harald who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Harald Bluetooth is a king best known for uniting Denmark and Norway and for the introduction of Christianity to Denmark.
Harald Hardrada is a king best known for his invasion of England in 1066 and his role in the Viking Age.
Harald V is the current king of Norway, best known for his role in the Norwegian monarchy and his support of various cultural initiatives.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Harald, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Harald. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Harald was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Harald has ranked as high as #3085 nationally, which occurred in 1925, and has been most popular in New York, Texas, and New Jersey.
In the past 5 years the name Harald has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Harald is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Harald was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Harald.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 15 |
| 2024 | 13 | 13 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 9 | 9 |
| 2018 | 7 | 7 |
| 2017 | 7 | 7 |
| 2016 | 6 | 6 |
| 2014 | 5 | 5 |
| 1997 | 5 | 5 |
| 1987 | 5 | 5 |
| 1981 | 6 | 6 |
| 1980 | 5 | 5 |
| 1978 | 5 | 5 |
| 1970 | 12 | 12 |
| 1969 | 9 | 9 |
| 1968 | 23 | 23 |
| 1967 | 13 | 13 |
| 1966 | 13 | 13 |
| 1965 | 10 | 10 |
| 1964 | 9 | 9 |
| 1963 | 10 | 10 |
| 1962 | 15 | 15 |
| 1961 | 16 | 16 |
| 1960 | 18 | 18 |
| 1959 | 12 | 12 |
| 1958 | 19 | 19 |
| 1957 | 17 | 17 |
| 1956 | 9 | 9 |
| 1955 | 10 | 10 |
| 1954 | 11 | 11 |
| 1953 | 9 | 9 |
| 1952 | 10 | 10 |
| 1951 | 9 | 9 |
| 1949 | 9 | 9 |
| 1947 | 11 | 11 |
| 1946 | 5 | 5 |
| 1945 | 11 | 11 |
| 1944 | 7 | 7 |
| 1943 | 16 | 16 |
| 1942 | 13 | 13 |
| 1941 | 9 | 9 |
| 1940 | 12 | 12 |
| 1939 | 14 | 14 |
| 1938 | 13 | 13 |
| 1937 | 11 | 11 |
| 1936 | 17 | 17 |
| 1935 | 8 | 8 |
| 1934 | 6 | 6 |
| 1933 | 9 | 9 |
| 1932 | 11 | 11 |
| 1931 | 14 | 14 |
| 1930 | 19 | 19 |
| 1929 | 17 | 17 |
| 1928 | 14 | 14 |
| 1927 | 22 | 22 |
| 1926 | 18 | 18 |
| 1925 | 24 | 24 |
| 1924 | 16 | 16 |
| 1923 | 17 | 17 |
| 1922 | 15 | 15 |
| 1921 | 9 | 9 |
| 1920 | 14 | 14 |
| 1919 | 18 | 18 |
| 1918 | 10 | 10 |
| 1917 | 17 | 17 |
| 1916 | 12 | 12 |
| 1915 | 10 | 10 |
| 1914 | 7 | 7 |
| 1913 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Harald (1968)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NJ | 5 |