Harold
A boys’ name of Old English origin, meaning army ruler, leader of warriors.
How Harold has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #809 |
| 2016 | #802 |
| 2017 | #799 |
| 2018 | #796 |
| 2019 | #815 |
| 2020 | #932 |
| 2021 | #959 |
| 2022 | #925 |
| 2023 | #926 |
| 2024 | #988 |
| 2025 | #993 |
Harold by the numbers
In 2025, 23 babies in England and Wales were named Harold. In the US, 285 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 14,153 babies in 1924, so it is a 1920s name that has since fallen a long way.
At its height, in 1920, about 1 in 80 American boys born that year was called Harold.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Harold. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Haraldleader of the army3 in England and Wales (2025)
- Haroldoarmy ruler; a form of Harold5 in the US (2017)
- Haroona form of Aaron; lofty or exalted73 in England and Wales (2025)
- Harounexalted or lofty; a form of Aaron10 in England and Wales (2025)
- Haronmountain; lofty; a form of haroun9 in England and Wales (2025)
- Harelmountain of god; mount and god3 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean a leader
Like Harold, each of these has a leader in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
Other names that mean a warrior
Like Harold, each of these has a warrior in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Wyattbrave in war9,768 in the US (2017)
- Owenyoung warrior, well-born9,341 in the US (2017)
- Robertbright fame; renowned warrior5,507 in the US (2017)
- Nolanchampion, descendant of the noble one5,403 in the US (2017)
- Milessoldier; merciful3,615 in the US (2017)
- Luisfamous warrior; form of Louis3,379 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Harold
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