Bobby vs Harold

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Bobby

Boy #1,126 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bright fame"

Origin: Old High German

Cultural Roots

English American Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,126
Total SSA Count
189
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Bob, Rob

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

Bobby Rank #1,126
Harold Rank #991

Harold is more popular, ranked #991 vs #1126 for Bobby.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Bobby ___

  • Bobby James
  • Bobby Ray
  • Bobby Lee
  • Bobby Dean
  • Bobby Wayne
  • Bobby Dale

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 Bobby

Billy Tommy Susie Jimmy Danny

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 Bobby or Harold more popular?

Harold is more popular, ranked #991 compared to Bobby at #1126 in the United States.

What do Bobby and Harold mean?

Bobby means "bright fame" (Old High German origin). Harold means "army ruler, power of the army" (Old English origin).

Are Bobby and Harold boy or girl names?

Bobby is primarily a boy name. Harold is primarily a boy name.

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