Harold Boy

Popularity: #710 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HAIR-uhld //ˈhɛə.rəld//

Origin: Old English; Germanic

Meaning: Old English: army ruler; Germanic: commander of the army

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Harold has its roots in Old English, deriving from the elements "here," meaning army, and "weald," meaning power or ruler. This etymological combination suggests a meaning akin to "army ruler" or "leader of the army." The name was recorded in various forms, such as Hereweald, in early medieval texts, and it gradually evolved into Harold as it was adopted into Middle English.

The transition into English can be traced through the Norman Conquest of 1066, where the name gained prominence in the British Isles, particularly due to its association with notable figures such as Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, who reigned briefly before his death at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Throughout history, the name Harold has been borne by several significant figures, including saints and monarchs.

One notable example is Saint Harold, a Danish king who was canonized in the 11th century. The name also appears in various historical texts and chronicles, reflecting its use among nobility and commoners alike during the medieval period.

The name's presence in literature can be seen in works such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which documents the events surrounding Harold Godwinson's reign and the subsequent Norman invasion. Culturally, the name Harold has been associated with leadership and valor, resonating with the qualities of strength and nobility.

It has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, reinforcing its significance in the cultural memory of England. The diminutive form "Harry" has also emerged from Harold, further embedding the name within English-speaking traditions.

Overall, Harold's historical and cultural significance has contributed to its enduring legacy in the English language.

Famous people named Harold

In this section, you will find notable people named Harold. 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 Harold who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Harold 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.

Harold Pinter is a playwright and screenwriter best known for The Birthday Party, The Homecoming, and The Caretaker.

Harold Arlen is a composer best known for Over the Rainbow, Stormy Weather, and The Wizard of Oz.

Harold Lloyd is an actor and comedian best known for Safety Last!, The Freshman, and Girl Shy.

Harold Ramis is a director, writer, and actor best known for Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Animal House.

Harold Bloom is a literary critic and author best known for The Western Canon, The Anxiety of Influence, and Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human.

Harold Alfond is a businessman and philanthropist best known for founding Dexter Shoe Company and his extensive charitable contributions.

Fictional characters named Harold

The following list of fictional characters named Harold is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Harold is a fictional character from the film Harold and Maude. He is a young man who becomes friends with a much older woman, leading him to explore the meaning of life and death.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Harold, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

HenryHarrisonHughHectorHannahHazel

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Harold. 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.

GeraldArnoldRonaldHarleyHarlanHarrisHollis

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Harold was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Harold has ranked as high as #24 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Harold has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Harold 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 Harold 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 Harold.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 230 230 0
2024 227 227 0
2023 253 253 0
2022 250 250 0
2021 236 236 0
2020 238 238 0
2019 279 279 0
2018 284 284 0
2017 286 286 0
2016 288 288 0
2015 283 283 0
2014 272 272 0
2013 234 234 0
2012 261 261 0
2011 256 256 0
2010 305 305 0
2009 266 266 0
2008 312 312 0
2007 350 350 0
2006 356 356 0
2005 349 349 0
2004 356 350 6
2003 343 343 0
2002 363 363 0
2001 377 377 0
2000 406 406 0
1999 413 413 0
1998 406 406 0
1997 435 435 0
1996 508 508 0
1995 519 519 0
1994 517 517 0
1993 602 602 0
1992 671 664 7
1991 683 683 0
1990 771 771 0
1989 789 783 6
1988 810 801 9
1987 813 805 8
1986 812 803 9
1985 869 857 12
1984 866 861 5
1983 947 940 7
1982 1,055 1,043 12
1981 1,115 1,101 14
1980 1,201 1,189 12
1979 1,255 1,246 9
1978 1,256 1,243 13
1977 1,449 1,434 15
1976 1,455 1,440 15
1975 1,605 1,587 18
1974 1,689 1,677 12
1973 1,820 1,812 8
1972 2,056 2,035 21
1971 2,411 2,387 24
1970 2,746 2,726 20
1969 2,782 2,763 19
1968 2,855 2,835 20
1967 2,975 2,956 19
1966 3,337 3,323 14
1965 3,568 3,539 29
1964 3,888 3,875 13
1963 4,109 4,093 16
1962 4,247 4,233 14
1961 4,471 4,448 23
1960 4,706 4,679 27
1959 4,966 4,943 23
1958 5,164 5,149 15
1957 5,780 5,752 28
1956 5,979 5,955 24
1955 6,125 6,096 29
1954 6,382 6,359 23
1953 6,605 6,580 25
1952 6,976 6,957 19
1951 7,193 7,178 15
1950 7,236 7,214 22
1949 7,837 7,817 20
1948 8,168 8,144 24
1947 8,929 8,904 25
1946 8,408 8,373 35
1945 7,547 7,524 23
1944 8,008 7,980 28
1943 8,695 8,670 25
1942 8,608 8,582 26
1941 8,137 8,102 35
1940 8,115 8,080 35
1939 8,324 8,299 25
1938 8,593 8,563 30
1937 8,586 8,550 36
1936 8,656 8,628 28
1935 9,212 9,170 42
1934 9,963 9,926 37
1933 9,583 9,543 40
1932 10,494 10,433 61
1931 10,759 10,695 64
1930 11,728 11,660 68
1929 11,775 11,677 98
1928 12,761 12,670 91
1927 13,325 13,226 99
1926 13,401 13,310 91
1925 13,683 13,597 86
1924 14,230 14,149 81
1923 13,932 13,874 58
1922 13,655 13,593 62
1921 13,886 13,811 75
1920 13,744 13,678 66
1919 12,092 12,021 71
1918 12,235 12,185 50
1917 11,255 11,194 61
1916 10,733 10,698 35
1915 10,488 10,444 44
1914 7,601 7,563 38
1913 6,182 6,157 25
1912 5,122 5,102 20
1911 2,459 2,448 11
1910 1,921 1,909 12
1909 1,735 1,725 10
1908 1,551 1,542 9
1907 1,459 1,452 7
1906 1,337 1,330 7
1905 1,266 1,258 8
1904 1,186 1,186 0
1903 1,065 1,065 0
1902 1,083 1,077 6
1901 915 915 0
1900 1,252 1,245 7
1899 919 914 5
1898 963 963 0
1897 868 860 8
1896 868 862 6
1895 762 753 9
1894 690 690 0
1893 572 566 6
1892 583 583 0
1891 419 419 0
1890 408 408 0
1889 340 340 0
1888 298 298 0
1887 279 279 0
1886 224 224 0
1885 201 201 0
1884 191 191 0
1883 108 108 0
1882 127 127 0
1881 120 120 0
1880 113 113 0

Top States for Harold (2024)

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
TX 24
13%
NY 16
9%
CA 15
8%
FL 10
6%
MI 8
4%
PA 7
4%
MA 7
4%
NC 7
4%
WA 7
4%
IL 7
4%
KY 6
3%
AZ 6
3%
UT 6
3%
WI 6
3%
OH 6
3%
CO 6
3%
NJ 5
3%
LA 5
3%
SC 5
3%
TN 5
3%
MO 5
3%
GA 5
3%
KS 5
3%