Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Harold
BoyOld English, Old Norse· “army ruler”
- Meaning
- army ruler
- Origin
- Old English, Old Norse
- Pronunciation
- HEH-ruhld
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #993
- US babies 2025
- 230
- Best rank
- #12 (1915)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Harold
Harold is an Old English and Old Norse name that means “army ruler”.
Harold comes from the Old English Hereweald, from here, army, and weald, power or rule, and it is related to the Old Norse Haraldr. Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, was killed at the Battle of Hastings, and Norwegian king Harald Hardrada died in battle weeks earlier. The name was revived in the nineteenth century and became very common in the United States in the early twentieth. Comic actor Harold Lloyd and British prime minister Harold Wilson carried it. Hal, Harry and Harold itself now have a gentle vintage appeal.
Other spellings with the same sound: Harrold, Herald, Herold.
Popularity over time
Harold has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #12 in 1915, and the most babies received it in 1924, when 14,149 were named Harold. In 2025, 230 babies were named Harold, and it ranked #993 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #12 in 1920, #45 in 1950, #207 in 1980, #538 in 2000, #745 in 2010, and #993 in 2025. Of the 551,632 US boys named Harold since records began, 24% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 95,467 babies. Since 2010, 4,182 more have been named Harold.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Raymond, Edward, Fred, and Calvin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Harold ranked highest in Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #521 | 5 |
| Wisconsin | #537 | 9 |
| Massachusetts | #650 | 7 |
| Virginia | #696 | 10 |
| Alabama | #708 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Harold is usually pronounced HEH-ruhld, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with H and ends in “-ld”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Harrold, Herald, and Herold.
Middle names for Harold
A few middle names that flow with Harold: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Harold
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Lists that include Harold
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Harold mean?
Harold is an Old English and Old Norse name that means “army ruler”.
What is the origin of the name Harold?
Harold has Old English and Old Norse roots. Harold comes from the Old English Hereweald, from here, army, and weald, power or rule, and it is related to the Old Norse Haraldr.
Is Harold a popular name?
Yes. Harold ranked #993 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Harold a boy or girl name?
Harold is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Harold?
Harold is usually pronounced HEH-ruhld. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings