Harrold Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HAR-uhld //ˈhɛr.əld//
Origin: English; German
Meaning: English: Army ruler; German: Strong warrior
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Harrold has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "here," meaning army, and "weald," meaning power or ruler. This etymology suggests a literal meaning of "army ruler" or "leader of the army." The name evolved through various forms, including the Old English "Hereweald," before being adopted into Middle English as "Harold." The transition into modern English occurred as the language evolved, particularly during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Old English names were influenced by Norman French and Latin forms.
Historically, the name Harold gained prominence through notable figures, most famously Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, who reigned briefly in 1066 before his defeat at the Battle of Hastings. His reign marked a significant turning point in English history, leading to the Norman conquest.
The name was also borne by several saints, including Saint Harold, a lesser-known figure in the Christian tradition, which contributed to its usage in medieval England. Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and chronicles, solidifying its presence in the English-speaking world.
Culturally, the name Harrold has been associated with leadership and strength, reflecting its etymological roots. It has been used in literature and folklore, often embodying the qualities of a noble warrior or a wise ruler.
The diminutive form "Harry" has also emerged from Harold, which has its own historical significance, particularly in royal contexts, as seen with King Henry IV of England, whose name is derived from the same roots. Overall, the name Harrold carries a legacy of historical importance and cultural resonance, reflecting the values of leadership and power throughout its evolution.
Famous people named Harrold
In this section, you will find notable people named Harrold. 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 Harrold who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Harrold 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.
Harrold Pinter was a playwright best known for The Birthday Party, The Homecoming, and The Caretaker.
Harrold Wilson was a British author best known for his works in the genre of historical fiction.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Harrold, 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 Harrold. 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 Harrold was first seen in the United States in 1898.
Harrold has ranked as high as #864 nationally, which occurred in 1923, and has been most popular in Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Missouri.
In the past 5 years the name Harrold has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Harrold 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 Harrold was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Harrold (1940)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |
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 Harrold.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1970 | 7 |
| 1967 | 6 |
| 1965 | 8 |
| 1964 | 10 |
| 1963 | 8 |
| 1961 | 9 |
| 1960 | 6 |
| 1959 | 11 |
| 1958 | 8 |
| 1957 | 8 |
| 1956 | 7 |
| 1955 | 9 |
| 1954 | 11 |
| 1953 | 9 |
| 1952 | 9 |
| 1951 | 11 |
| 1950 | 16 |
| 1949 | 13 |
| 1948 | 21 |
| 1947 | 17 |
| 1946 | 24 |
| 1945 | 10 |
| 1944 | 8 |
| 1943 | 20 |
| 1942 | 18 |
| 1941 | 19 |
| 1940 | 21 |
| 1939 | 20 |
| 1938 | 17 |
| 1937 | 25 |
| 1936 | 11 |
| 1935 | 27 |
| 1934 | 24 |
| 1933 | 23 |
| 1932 | 27 |
| 1931 | 31 |
| 1930 | 29 |
| 1929 | 27 |
| 1928 | 24 |
| 1927 | 30 |
| 1926 | 43 |
| 1925 | 25 |
| 1924 | 35 |
| 1923 | 46 |
| 1922 | 32 |
| 1921 | 30 |
| 1920 | 34 |
| 1919 | 40 |
| 1918 | 22 |
| 1917 | 19 |
| 1916 | 22 |
| 1915 | 29 |
| 1914 | 24 |
| 1913 | 13 |
| 1912 | 10 |
| 1910 | 5 |
| 1906 | 10 |
| 1904 | 5 |
| 1898 | 5 |