"army ruler, power of the army"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Harold
Pronunciation: [ h-EHR-uhld ]
Does Harold flow with your last name?
The last king of Anglo-Saxon England, ready for a comeback
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Meaning & Origin
"ruler of the army (Scandinavian form)"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: Norse
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Harold
Harold derives from the Old English Hereweald, combining here (army) and weald (power, ruler), meaning one who rules through military strength. The name came to England before the Norman Conquest, borne most famously by Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, who died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Norse form Haraldr gave it Scandinavian roots as well.
Harold was enormously popular in the early 20th century, ranking in the top 10 US names from 1900-1930. It gradually declined mid-century and is now considered a retro name overdue for revival, following the pattern of Henry and Walter.
Harold carries the weight of English history -- King Harold II was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. In Scandinavian history, Harold Bluetooth (Harald Blatand) unified Denmark and gave his name to the modern Bluetooth wireless technology.
Historical Record
Harold first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 138,634 babies have been named Harold in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Harold is past its peak , currently ranked #991 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Bluetooth wireless technology is named after King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark
- Harold was a top-10 name in the US from 1900 to 1930
- Harold and Maude (1971) is a classic film that keeps the name culturally present
Harold in Other Languages
Latin
Haroldus
Norse
Haraldr
French
Harold
German
Harald
Swedish
Harald
Popularity Over Time
#991
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Harold
H
Harold Lloyd
Actor
1893
Silent film comedian and one of the most popular stars of the 1920s
H
Harold Godwinson (Harold II)
Military
1022
Last Anglo-Saxon King of England, defeated at the Battle of Hastings in 1066
H
Harold (character) Fictional
Other
The curious boy in Harold and the Purple Crayon, a beloved children's book character
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #991
- Total SSA Count
- 227
- Cultural Origins
- English Scandinavian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Harry
Hal
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Harold
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Harold is also used as a girl name, ranked #28909.
View Harold as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Harold
What does the name Harold mean?
"army ruler, power of the army" (from Old English). "ruler of the army (Scandinavian form)" (from Old Norse). Harold derives from the Old English Hereweald, combining here (army) and weald (power, ruler), meaning one who rules through military strength. The name came to England before the Norman Conquest, borne most famously by Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, who died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Norse form Haraldr gave it Scandinavian roots as well.
What is the origin of the name Harold?
Harold has Old English, Old Norse, English, Scandinavian, and American origins. In Old English, it means "army ruler, power of the army". In Old Norse, it means "ruler of the army (Scandinavian form)".
Is Harold a boy or girl name?
Harold is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #991. As a girl name, it is ranked #28909. Harold is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Harold?
Harold is pronounced h-EHR-uhld.
How popular is the name Harold?
Harold is currently ranked #991 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Harold?
Common nicknames for Harold include Harry and Hal.
What are good middle names for Harold?
Popular middle name pairings include Harold James, Harold Edward, Harold Thomas, Harold Francis, Harold David, Harold William, and Harold George.
What are good sibling names for Harold?
Names that pair well with Harold as siblings include Dorothy, Mildred, Walter, Bernard, Margaret, Arthur, and Frances.
How many syllables does Harold have?
Harold has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Harold a common or rare name?
Harold is moderately common, ranked #991 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Harold?
About the Name Harold
Harold is a boy name with English, Scandinavian, and American origins . The name means "army ruler, power of the army" in Old English .
Is Harold a boy or girl name? Harold is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #991 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #28,909. Harold is more commonly used as a boy name.
Harold is currently ranked #991 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Harold has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-EHR-uhld, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Harold include Harry and Hal. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Harold include Haroon, Haroun . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis