"son of Harry (Henry)"
Origin: English
Language: English
Harrison
Pronunciation: [ h-EHR-ihs-uhn ]
Boy Name
#121 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
Presidential heritage, Hollywood cool, ready for anything
American
English
Australian
Strong
Classic
Sophisticated
Bold
Traditional
Meaning & Origin
"descendant of the ruler of the home"
Origin: Old German
Language: English
"son of the home ruler"
Origin: Germanic via English
Language: English
The Story of Harrison
Harrison is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Harry', where Harry is a medieval English pronunciation of Henry, from the Germanic Heimrich meaning 'ruler of the home' or 'estate ruler'. As a given name, Harrison has been used since the 19th century, particularly in the United States where it gained presidential association. It follows the long tradition of using distinguished family surnames as given names.
Harrison has been a steady top-100 US boy name since the late 20th century, carried by the enduring popularity of Han Solo actor Harrison Ford and the presidential legacy of two US presidents named Harrison. It sits in the comfortable zone of names that feel established and substantial without being dull.
Two US presidents bore the name Harrison: William Henry Harrison (9th) and his grandson Benjamin Harrison (23rd), giving the name significant patriotic resonance. Harrison Ford, one of the most bankable actors in Hollywood history (Star Wars, Indiana Jones), has given the name tremendous cool factor for over four decades.
Fun Facts
- William Henry Harrison served the shortest US presidency in history — just 31 days — after delivering the longest inauguration speech in the rain without a coat
- Harrison Ford has been one of the top box-office draws in Hollywood history for over 40 years
- Harrison entered the US top 100 permanently in the 1990s
Harrison in Other Languages
French
Harrison
German
Harrison
Spanish
Harrison
Japanese
ハリソン
Famous People Named Harrison
G
George Harrison
Musician
1943
Lead guitarist of The Beatles and successful solo artist known as the Quiet Beatle
H
Harrison Ford
Actor
1942
American actor and cultural icon, known as Han Solo in Star Wars and Indiana Jones across four decades
P
President Benjamin Harrison
Politician
1833
23rd US President and grandson of William Henry Harrison, who served 1889-1893
W
William Henry Harrison
Politician
1773
9th President of the United States, who served the shortest term in presidential history
P
President William Henry Harrison
Politician
1773
9th US President who served the shortest term in history — 31 days before dying of pneumonia in 1841
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #121
- Total SSA Count
- 2,958
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Harry
Harris
Hare
Pairs Well With
Harrison James
Harrison Cole
Harrison Reid
Harrison Scott
Harrison Ford
Harrison Blake
Harrison Grant
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Harrison is also used as a girl name, ranked #10328.
View Harrison as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Harrison
What does the name Harrison mean?
"son of Harry (Henry)" (from English). "descendant of the ruler of the home" (from Old German). "son of the home ruler" (from Germanic via English). Harrison is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Harry', where Harry is a medieval English pronunciation of Henry, from the Germanic Heimrich meaning 'ruler of the home' or 'estate ruler'. As a given name, Harrison has been used since the 19th century, particularly in the United States where it gained presidential association. It follows the long tradition of using distinguished family surnames as given names.
What is the origin of the name Harrison?
Harrison has English, Old German, Germanic via English, American, and Australian origins. In English, it means "son of Harry (Henry)". In Old German, it means "descendant of the ruler of the home". In Germanic via English, it means "son of the home ruler".
Is Harrison a boy or girl name?
Harrison is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #121. As a girl name, it is ranked #10328. Harrison is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Harrison?
Harrison is pronounced h-EHR-ihs-uhn.
How popular is the name Harrison?
Harrison is currently ranked #121 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Harrison?
Common nicknames for Harrison include Harry, Harris, and Hare.
What are good middle names for Harrison?
Popular middle name pairings include Harrison James, Harrison Cole, Harrison Reid, Harrison Scott, Harrison Ford, Harrison Blake, and Harrison Grant.
What are good sibling names for Harrison?
Names that pair well with Harrison as siblings include Jackson, Lincoln, Eleanor, Charlotte, Fletcher, Emerson, and Adelaide.
How many syllables does Harrison have?
Harrison has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Harrison a common or rare name?
Harrison is a popular name, ranked #121 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Harrison
Harrison is a boy name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "son of Harry (Henry)" in English .
Is Harrison a boy or girl name? Harrison is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #121 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #10,328. Harrison is more commonly used as a boy name.
Harrison is currently ranked #121 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Harrison has 3 syllables and is pronounced h-EHR-ihs-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Harrison include Harry, Harris, and Hare. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Harrison include Harry, Harris . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.