Harold vs Stephen

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Harold Rank #991
Stephen Rank #378

Stephen is more popular, ranked #378 vs #991 for Harold.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Harold ___

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

Stephen ___

  • Stephen James
  • Stephen Michael
  • Stephen John
  • Stephen Patrick
  • Stephen Thomas
  • Stephen David

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Harold

Dorothy Mildred Walter Bernard Margaret

If you choose Stephen

Michael Christopher Jennifer Elizabeth Matthew

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 Harold or Stephen more popular?

Stephen is more popular, ranked #378 compared to Harold at #991 in the United States.

What do Harold and Stephen mean?

Harold means "army ruler, power of the army" (Old English origin). Stephen means "crown, wreath" (Ancient Greek origin).

Are Harold and Stephen boy or girl names?

Harold is primarily a boy name. Stephen is primarily a boy name.

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