Arnold vs Harold

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Arnold

Boy #1,694 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"eagle power, eagle ruler"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

German English American Flemish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,694
Total SSA Count
99
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Arnie, Arno

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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Harold

Boy #991 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"army ruler, power of the army"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English Scandinavian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#991
Total SSA Count
227
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Harry, Hal

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Harold →

Popularity Comparison

Arnold Rank #1,694
Harold Rank #991

Harold is more popular, ranked #991 vs #1694 for Arnold.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Arnold ___

  • Arnold James
  • Arnold Lee
  • Arnold Scott
  • Arnold Paul
  • Arnold Henry

Harold ___

  • Harold James
  • Harold Edward
  • Harold Thomas
  • Harold Francis
  • Harold David
  • Harold William

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Arnold

Gerald Harold Donna Linda Ronald

If you choose Harold

Dorothy Mildred Walter Bernard Margaret

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arnold or Harold more popular?

Harold is more popular, ranked #991 compared to Arnold at #1694 in the United States.

What do Arnold and Harold mean?

Arnold means "eagle power, eagle ruler" (Germanic origin). Harold means "army ruler, power of the army" (Old English origin).

Are Arnold and Harold boy or girl names?

Arnold is primarily a boy name. Harold is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Arnold ← Full profile: Harold Browse all baby names