The nameHarold
Harold is the name of the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. It was a top 15 American name in the 1910s.
- Boy's name
- Old English and Norse
Meaning
Harold comes from the Old English Hereweald, from here, "army", and weald, "ruler".
Origin
Old English and Norse.
History
King Harold II died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. In the United States Harold reached 12th place in 1915.
Famous people named Harold
- King Harold II of England
- Harold Pinter, playwright
- Harold Wilson, British prime minister
- Harold Lloyd, actor
Popularity of the name Harold
Harold in the United States
Harold was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 134,392 births over the decade, 24% of all recorded babies named Harold. Its rise began around 1907, and it peaked in 1924. Half of all babies named Harold in the United States were born before 1933, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 240 births a year on average, against 284 in the five years before.
Harold in the United Kingdom
Harold was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 232 births over the decade, 34% of all recorded babies named Harold. Half of all babies named Harold in the United Kingdom were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 21 births a year on average, against 27 in the five years before.
Harold in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Harold
Names from the same generation as Harold, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Harold? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Harold with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Harold side by side with the name of your choice.
Harold in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Harold mean?
Harold comes from the Old English Hereweald, from here, "army", and weald, "ruler".
What is the origin of the name Harold?
Old English and Norse.
Is Harold a girl's or a boy's name?
Harold is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Harold?
In 2024, Harold was the 990th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 227 births.
What are the variants of the name Harold?
Variants and related names of Harold include Eric, Harald, Hendrik and Henri.
What are good sibling names for Harold?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Ingrid, Micaela, Deborah and Rita for a sister, Alfred, Stanley, Eugene and Ralph for a brother.
Who are famous people named Harold?
King Harold II of England; Harold Pinter, playwright; Harold Wilson, British prime minister; Harold Lloyd, actor.